GUYANA Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), at a news conference hosted on January 29 last, announced plans to expend another US$15M under an expansion plan for this year.
The programme will see the upgrading and provision of landline services in North and South Ruimveldt, Newburg, Werk-en-Rust, Stabroek, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Guyhoc Gardens, Shirley Field-Ridely Square in Georgetown and areas elsewhere in Demerara, as well as in West and East Berbice.
The "Chronicle" on Tuesday sought the views of residents of North, South Ruimveldt and Roxanne Burnham Gardens on the proposed new development, especially in their communities.
Here is what the residents had to say:
Ricardo Blackman: North Ruimveldt Resident /Stall owner
" To my understanding the upgrading is a part of even taking off the FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) phones and giving people the wire lines because at times you don't get calls on the FWA phones. It will be good because persons who don't have phones at present in the neighbourhood will have an opportunity to own a phone. Many people in this community don't have phones. You go to some people who have phones only to discover they are not working because of some fault. Many times too, you try to use the phones and the lines are congested. I have two phones and a number of times they give me problems."
Michael Bacchus: North Ruimveldt Resident
" I am very frustrated. Some 15 years ago my mother applied for a phone and she got none. About 10 years ago my sister applied and she, too, was unable to get one. I keep trying and they keep telling me to hold on, hold on. I'll be glad if I can have a phone because I'm the only one for my family who is in Guyana; the rest are living abroad and I'll be glad to communicate with them on a regular basis within the confines of my home."
Petula Clarke: Resident
"As a resident of North Ruimveldt for over 20 years I feel the idea of upgrading he telephone (system) is a good one. For instance, whenever rain falls you experience a noise in the telephone and at certain times when you try to get though it is difficult. I have from time to time also had to assist persons without telephones in cases of emergency, so I welcome the announcement not only for myself but for them as well."
Samantha Adonis: Johnny P Supermarket, employee
" I think this upgrading of telephone service is a good idea because you have a lot of problems with the antenna phones. After 6 o'clock in the evening you get a busy tone all the time. For us here (Johnny P Supermarket) we have to use that line for the Western Union business so it is very hard to get through and usually you have to switch and use the business line if you want to make a telephone call.
" I know, too, of several people who do not have a phone at home and depend on the use of a public phone booth where on most occasions there is a long line."
Nargo Dunn
"What I observe is that the people in South Ruimveldt get problems using the phone booths as it takes a while before you can get through to the other person, be it overseas or in the vicinity of Georgetown. GT&T needs to upgrade the service a little bit more. As it relates to GT&T's announcement, once the proposal is for betterment or progress that will be excellent. I can relate to having to leave my home on occasions to go elsewhere to make phone calls. The phone is of magnitude to people business wise and home-wise and presently the service is not so effective. It needs upgrading and I'll welcome it."
Kenneth Yaw: Johnny P Supermarket employee
" I think they need to upgrade the 263 phone lines which are no good. All of these phones, by the time it is 6 o'clock they are no good, and if you want to make an important call it is a problem. I feel that set of phone service needs upgrading."
Patrick Lall: Customer
" We really need a proper telephone service in this area because most of the time when you try to make a call you can't get through. I have relatives living overseas who often complain about not being able to reach myself or the family via the telephone. I think upgrading the service is a good idea."
Charles Gray
" Upgrading of the telephone service is alright. My areas didn't have phones for sometime and is now they (GT&T) putting in a few lines and I welcome that development. Also, whenever the rain falls is a problem and a telephone is very important for any household."
Ann Lee: Businesswoman
" I use a cell phone for business, overseas and everything else and it's really, really expensive, and what they (GT&T) do, if you owe last month bill and you haven't received it, once you go over the limit they just take it off without alerting you. Only once can I remember the company telling me by way of a message on the phone to pay a certain amount to avoid disconnection.
This time they did it again without alerting me, It's really rough so if they will give the landlines I will welcome it. I operate a business and people don't want to call you on a cell phone. I also have a bus and sometimes people from overseas need to make contact with me to have them picked up at the airport. In the absence of a phone they are not able to contact me. As a result I sometimes lose out on the business."
Ayasammy: Resident (no picture taken)
" It will be a good idea if GT&T can indeed provide phones in this area. For the longest while I've been trying to get a phone and have not gotten any. Now I see them (GT&T) putting up poles...I am waiting to see what will happen. I also have relatives overseas who I would love to call from home whenever I feel like so doing."