THE Guyana/Brazil fibre optic cable project has not collapsed as “it is obvious that it can be remedied,” Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon confirmed yesterday. The E-Government project will feature a data centre, a transmission network and data network. The data centre, or control centre, is to be housed in the compound of Castellani House, in the same building that is used for the Central Intelligence Agency.

During his weekly press conference held at the Office of the President, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat put media speculation to rest, noting that the project is currently being discussed regarding how to conclude the rehabilitation, and he maintained “it is remediable.”
The project started some four years after the agreement was signed between Guyana and Brazil for a fibre optic cable to link Government facilities. He noted that the cable was to provide the bandwidth to the network and with this connectivity it would have allowed the project to mature into its ideal proportions.
Dr. Luncheon noted that at present he is engaging in negotiations and discussions with a local firm in collaboration with a neighbouring country “to conclude the rehabilitation of the existing cable that traverses over 200 km from its entry point at Lethem to its termination point at Castellani House, Georgetown.”
He explained that the project which Government has invested approximately $1B in is still onboard.
The HPS further explained that in 2011 and 2012 it was recognised that the project had encountered significant failures in meeting obligations in its development.
CORRECTION
“This is what the talks and discussions are about, to give some correction and renovation of the defects that have been documented along the way,” he said.
Right now, he said, the connectivity is unavailable, and this project has “cost a pretty penny and this is construction itself. I can’t be accurate but I am pretty certain that it exceeds over a billion Guyana dollars.”
LEGAL ACTION
Dr. Luncheon clarified that the Government has filed legal action against contractors and supervisory firms for their non-compliance with contractual obligations. He confirmed, however, that no action has been taken against any firm as yet since the paperwork is going through the proper procedures and awaiting a judicial ruling.
Guyana, as confirmed by the HPS, was reportedly paying Brazil US$76,000 annually for internet connectivity but noted that since the mechanism for a connection to access the bandwidth has not been accomplished, the “Brazilians have been understanding.”
MAJOR BENEFITS
The completion of the project would allow for, in addition to connectivity, a range of services such as “E-Health”, allowing for video consultation, movement of information from one health centre to another and tracking disease outbreaks.
The project would also allow quick transmission of information, including video and data between police stations. In education, the project would set up an “E-library” which would allow for access to textbooks and other teaching aids that can be used by students and schools, thereby lowering cost.