Ministry to roll out ICT centres

PCs
Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter

THE Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services will roll out the Community Information Centre concept to districts with three set to be opened once President Mugabe announces a date for the official launch, a senior official has said. This comes at a time when government has intensified efforts to bridge the information gap through ICT.

Permanent Secretary in the ICT Postal and Courier Services Ministry, Samuel Kundishora told Chronicle in Victoria Falls on Thursday that such centres were ready at Maphisa, Gutu-Mpandawana and Rusape.

The community centres are meant to bring ICT closer to the people, said Dr Kundishora.

“Community Information centres are critical as they bring technology to the people. The centres will be equipped with facilities to do photocopying, typing, internet services and book-binding, among other ICT services. We will soon be opening Maphisa, Gutu-Mpandawana and Rusape. We’re only waiting for President Mugabe to announce the dates for the official launch,” said Dr Kundishora.

The Government is upgrading Zimpost offices countrywide to accommodate Community Information Centres, where each district would have a one-stop information centre.

While officially opening the recent Innovation Africa Digital Summit here, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government was committed to ICT development as that was the cornerstone of the country’s growth. He said ICT enhances citizen participation and accountability of government.

He said the government had adopted the concept of Community Information Centres as a way of ensuring the information gap is filled by availing affordable technology that is accessible to citizens while also bringing government activity closer to the people.

Meanwhile, Kundishora said the pilot Techno Park which VP Mnangagwa referred to in his address was already operational at Sunway City outside Harare.

“This is an old concept which had been delayed by lack of funding. Government gazetted as an export processing zone, the land along Mabvuku Road and agreed to the setting up of the Techno Park there. We are looking at inviting players in the ICT to stimulate creativity.

“The idea of bringing ICT and techno companies into one area is meant to allow exchange of ideas. Imagine if we have Techno Parks in Mutare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and other areas, our industry would really grow,” said Kundishora.

He said the Techno Parks would encourage growth of local manufacturers in the ICT sector.

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