Government says it has allocated K800 million in this year’s budget for the enhancement of information communication technology, ICT, in rural areas.
Director in the Department of Communication at the Ministry of Communication and Transport, Victor Mbumwe said this in Lusaka today at the Launch of the book by E-Brain Forum Zambia.
Mr Mbumwe said the allocation of the funds is a demonstration of government’s commitment to providing information communication technology (ICT) to people living in rural areas.
The book titled ‘Options and Challenges for Connectivity and Energy in Zambia,’ is aimed at promoting ICT in developing countries as a tool for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Mr Mbumwe said government has introduced the Rural Energy Powered ICT Services Entrepreneurship (REPRISE) to establish innovative services in areas with no connectivity.
He said there is need for ICT service providers and the private sector to supplement government efforts by extending their services to rural areas.
Mr. Mbumwe however commended the mobile phone providers in the country for taking their services to all the 73 districts in the country..
He also disclosed that the Communication Authority, CAZ, has provided funds for people and institutions to undertake research in various ICT fields.
He urged E-Brain to apply for the funds in order for them to do more research.
And author of the book Dean Mulozi bemoaned the high ICT connectivity fees in Zambia.
Mr. Mulozi said this makes it difficult for people in rural areas to access the ICTs.
He said though Zambia has made progress in mobile communications, there is need for the country to promote the use of the internet
Atleast my grand par will be able to use itc now.
with K800 million uzinama chabe iwe monk.
with K800 million uzinama chabe iwe monk. That is just to fool some paople and they wont fool everyone.
K800,000 for enhancement of ICT in rural areeas? You must be joking.Which parts of the country are you targeting?Zambia is about 51% rural.are you telling us that amount can make significant impoact? the answer is an ultiright NO…It is a drop in the Ocean and the shameful announcement is the joke of the year 2008. Unless it is Chibombo only to be covered, the amount is too little to write home about. it is not even worth a heading in Lusaka times.This also shows how wrong our priorities are in this country.Look at personal renumerations for our leaders.Okay, heft allowances and salaries aside, the same amount can only but 2 vehicles for Shikapwasha and Mulongoti. Cont….
K800,000 for enhancement of ICT in rural Zambia? You must be joking.Which areas are you targeting? Mind you Zambia is about 51% rural.Are you telling us that K800,000 can suffice for such a huge assignment? The answer is definitely an ultiright NO.It is a drop in the Ocean.And this shameful announcement is the joke of the year 2008. Unless it is only Chibombo to be covered, the amount is too little to write home about. It is not even worth making a heading in Lusakatimes.This reveals our wrong priorities in this country.Okay, with the hefty allowances and salaries aside, the same amount can only buy 2 vehicles for Shikapwasha and Mulongoti.Hefty gratuity aside.
K 800 million can not even buy a latest server compueter to power the all rural Zambia. this is foolishness of the governemnt. look at Rwanda from war to high tech whilst zambia is sleeping. The guys are able to monitor parliament sessions in thier council chambers and ask questions.