Twenty remote communities to tap gov’t services by mid-year

-under pilot for ICT access project

Authority (NDMA), which is executing the project, told a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Levi disclosed that with the installation of the ICT access hubs in the communities, residents will be able to benefit from eLearning, telemedicine and the processing of applications for biographical documents online, among other things.

“Those applications can be filled out online and submitted to the government agency. The back office is going to look at it, then get it back to the citizen who would have applied for… birth certificates, school entrance, driver licence,” he explained.

He also noted that patients and doctors can engage through video conferencing, which will allow for needed check-ups or consultations.

He explained that companies will be contracted by the ministry to install the necessary equipment and the procurement process has already started.

Also speaking at the press conference, Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes pointed out that communities targeted under the project have been long neglected in access to ICT.

The communities are Kaikan, Jawalla, Phillipai, Kako, Isseneru, Paruima, Kangaruma and Tasserene in Region Seven; Kurukubaru, Monkey Mountain, Apoteri, Rewa, and Surama in Region Eight; Aranaputa, Toka, Shulinab, Maruranau, and Karaudarnau in Region Nine; and Kimbia and Wiruni in Region Ten.

She noted that the project had been in the making for approximately four years and in 2017 the project document was signed to greenlight it.

“I am excited. Our ICT access in our hinterland and remote community project is really going to transform lives of members of the poor and remote communities,” Hughes said, while noting that it has been recognised that the hinterland has been neglected in terms of access to ICT that can spur development, including online learning and entrepreneurship.

“As soon as these projects are finished the residents can be able to have better access to education and services in Guyana…,” she added

Already, US$680,000 has already been spent on the project for document preparation and needs assessments in the communities.

In photo, from left are UNDP Resident Representative (ag), Roberto Galvez, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and NDMA Chairman, Floyd Levi.