Free Wifi For Sigatoka
The initiative is part of a wider Government plan to improve service delivery through digital means
Acting Prime Minister and AttorneyGeneral Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday launched a new free wifi zone in Sigatoka.
Over 2000 people turned up in Sigatoka Town to witness Mr Sayed-Khaiyum launch the new wifi hotspot.
Also announced by Mr Sayed-Khaiym yesterday was the soon-to-be launched English television programmes that will be available through Walesi.
The programme will be designed for primary and secondary school students. “Everyone would be getting the same quality English programmes,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“For example, at 10am every second day we will have the same English programme going out to all schools in Fiji.
“It will have the same English curriculum – whether you live up the valley or anywhere else.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said an announcement on these services would be made soon. The initiative is part of a wider Government plan to improve service delivery through digital means.
It also envisions a time when people will not have to visit Government offices but get work done online.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said an example was how a newborn baby could be registered online and the parents would just have to pick up the birth certificate from the office when in town.
“We want the people to make use the internet sensibly as it is a great positive tool,” he said.
Government allocated $40 million in this year’s Budget for the development of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said free hotspot areas were created mainly for people to meet up, congregate and get access to high-speed internet.
“We are setting up wifi hotspots all over Fiji,” he said.
The wifi zone will see free high-speed internet available from Valley Road, along the river banks down to Melrose Bridge, to the small park beside the river and in to the Sigatoka bus station and market.
The wifi hotspot area would allow people 60 minutes free high speed internet each day.
Tappoo Group of Companies executive chairman Kantilal Tappoo said this was a great service introduced for the people of Sigatoka.
“I am really happy with the Walesi and wifi hotspot areas created,” Mr Tappoo said. “I also have Walesi at home and the progarmmes are great.”
Sigatoka Town Council chief executive officer Tulsi Ram said the move by Government deserved praise.
“I have had a lot of good responses from the people of Sigatoka, especially the Walesi TV where eight channels are available free,” Mr Ram said.
Mr Ram said everyone was overjoyed with the new services.
Sigatoka resident Ben Pulea said the new service was something good for the people of Sigatoka.
“As for the wifi hotspot sometimes we have no data when we need to use the internet for something important so this will certainly help,” Mr Pulea said.
“We are so blessed to get Walesi television which means we will have eight channels to select from.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was assisted by children of Sigatoka with the releasing of balloons signifying the launch.