Govt to set up info centre in Mangwe

THE Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services has procured equipment worth $43 000 for a communication and information centre that will be established in Mangwe District before year end.

Speaking at the commissioning of a NetOne base station at Ingwizi area in Mangwe District on Friday, the E-Government Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr Tapiwa Gumindoga said Government had established about 12 more information centres across the country.

“As Government we have seen the need to bring development to rural communities. We are in the process of establishing communication information centres in various districts. Mangwe District is one area set to benefit.

“We have procured equipment valued at $43 000 towards this centre. This equipment comprises 20 computers, a printer, scanner, photocopier, TV screen and internet connections. We will also open a facility to train community members on how to use the equipment,” he said.

Mr Gumindoga said the programme sought to address the digital divide which existed between rural and urban communities.

He said the Mangwe communication information centre would be established before year end at Bhulu High School in Ingwizi area. He said the facility would be accessed by all community members.

Addressing community members before commissioning the base station, Mr Gumindoga urged stakeholders to utilise the network system to further the development agenda.

He said the base station could come in handy for farmers in the area, school pupils, Government departments and institutions.

“This base station will ensure that people who have been marginalised before can access information. Farmers can now access information on market prices and they can sell their products through the internet. Pupils can access information as the rural pupils have been disadvantaged compared to urban pupils.

“Community leaders and institutions can now communicate easily and use the internet as a platform to discuss development agendas,” he said.

He urged communities to use technology as a tool to showcase their traditions and values.

Mr Gumindoga applauded the NetOne Company for establishing the base station in Mangwe.

He said the project was in line with the Zim Asset rogramme which called for infrastructure development and improved communication channels in rural communities.

NetOne chief finance officer Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndlovu said the network company engaged in the programme to ensure that rural communities were connected.

She said the exercise of establishing base stations was ongoing.

Mrs Ndlovu said the company was also celebrating 20 years of service.

“As a network service provider we were tasked by the Government to ensure that every part of the country is connected and this is what we are doing. More base stations will be established in Mangwe District and other parts of the country. We are aware that people from Ingwizi have been using Botswana networks and some still are and we will address this,” she said.

Chief Tshitshi from Mangwe District appealed to NetOne to extend its services to all parts of the district.