Dear Editor,
I am rather enjoying the competition between GT&T and Digicel. To see them go at each other is not only entertaining but it brings us better rates and better services. However, I am truly disappointed that in the heat of the competition GT&T has exercised some very bad judgment.
I refer specifically to the placing of a billboard in the compound of the Red House (Dr Cheddi Jagan Research Institute) so that it could point at the Digicel Head Office.
I am surprised that Mr Joe Singh would allow his marketing people to do such a thing. I do not care if they want to point at Digicel, that is all well and good in the competition and marketing battle, by why desecrate the grounds of Red House – a national institution. Mr Joe Singh talks a lot about history and the like and yet a place like Red House is this way violated.
I am not only surprised at Mr Joe Singh; I am surprised that the Management of the Dr Cheddi Jagan Research Institute and the PPP would allow GT&T to do such a thing in that compound. Mr Editor, can we now expect more billboards there as every advertiser asks for fair treatment and fair access to Red House compound? Will there now be a long line of billboards along the Red House fence facing High Street?
Will we see a Digicel billboard in the Ministry of Health or GGMC compound pointing at the GT&T Head Office?
Competition is ok but this sacrilege at the Red House must go.
Yours faithfully,
Parasram Persaud
Editor’s note
We sent a copy of this letter to GT&T for their comments and received the following response from Mr Terrence Holder, Deputy General Manager (Public Communication): “”The erection of the sign in the Red House compound grew out of a relationship developed some years ago with the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre in which the Company contributed monthly to the day to day administration of the Centre.
After some time, the matter of a reciprocal arrangement was raised, and the erection of a sign, advertising the operations of GT&T was suggested. It was agreed that the Company be allowed to construct a billboard in the compound. This decision, by the way, predated the entry of Digicel on to the local market.
Mr. Persaud strongly expresses his disgust, as he considers the erection of the billboard a desecration of the grounds of Red House. The billboard has been tastefully done and it has been placed at the northernmost end of the compound. As regards the question of fair treatment and fair access, we believe that those responsible for the facility will use their best judgement to ensure that it is never so commercialized or further violated.
The writer does ask “will we see a Digicel billboard pointing at the GT&T Head Office?”
Well events have certainly overtaken his letter and we who are located at the Company’s headquarters at Telephone House have our view of the YWCA blocked by large Digicel signs erected in that compound. And we have challenged that placement on a different matter of principle, only to be told that an offer was made by Digicel that could not be refused.
In the current competitive environment we could anticipate further desecration when principles are put aside with the attractive offers being made.”
