A speech delivered by the Minister of ICT Hon Nelson Chamisa, on the occasion of the Celebration of the World Telecommunications and Information society day 17 May,2011-Jerera Growth Point, Zaka.
A Skeletal speech delivered by the Minister of ICT Hon Nelson Chamisa, on the occasion of the Celebration of the World Telecommunications and Information society day 17 May,2011-Jerera Growth Point, Zaka.
'Better life in rural communities with ICTs'
Chief Nyakunhuwa,
Chief Bota,
Chief Nhema
Headmen from the whole of Zaka
ICT Permanent secretary Eng Sam Kundishora
Itu regional representative
Senior gvt officials
Portraz Director General Sibanda
DA and members of the Jerera Rural District Council
Councilors
CEOs and reps of network operators..Netone ,Econet, Telecel ,Telone
Headmasters and Teachers
Parents and School children
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I retains honour and humility to address this august yet unique gathering in this beautiful weather of Zaka district,Masvingo
Today, the 17 th of May, is a special day on the ICT calendar the World over.Just to give you a brief background to the significance of the day; The World summit on information society which met in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis 2005 called upon member countries to consider establishing national mechanisms to achieve universal access to ICTs in underserved and unserved rural areas as a way to bridge the digital divide.
Half of the world population resides in far flung communities and rural districts,,,3 billion are harassed and tormented by poverty ,restricted and constrained access to education susceptible to diseases,with thin opportunities at their disposal - the deprived and often forgotten cousins of their urban counterparts.
Yet in rural areas we locate the cooking pot and baking oven for the workforce and brain force of our industries and national institutions for national development and productivity.The rural communities are the least connected to Icts yet the majority of our population reside in these areas.
Use of Icts in hospitals , clinics , schools , rural district councils and villages will create opportunities for a fresh and better start for rural communities.It is therefore relevant for the government of Zimbabwe to choose Jerera as our venue for this year 's event. Moreso when the theme for this year is 'Better life with ICT in rural communities'.
Use of Icts in agriculture, horticulture, marketing our traditions, arts and culture and everyday lifestyles and work styles will greatly enhance the capacities and boost the efficiencies of the rural communities considering the critical role played by these centers to sustain the nation.The ICTs. Will greatly improve market opportunities, equal access to information and competitiveness of the various human enterprises in the countryside.On account of ICTs, farmers are now able to compare their market prices with those in other parts of the country.A tomatoes farmer in Murehwa can now
Via the mobile check with the farmer in Binga what the obtaining market prices are for the various grades of the product.
Communication defines life. The need to communicate messages of sadness such as funerals and sickness and also happy messages of engagement, marriage ceremonies, payment of lobola, and other family or community gatherings locates itself at the centre of the utility of these technologies
Icts constitute a national pillar to a sustainable development for the vulnerable sections of our society, indeed Icts are the powerhouse and locomotive to shared growth and durable prosperity. Icts remain the best friend of some of the remotest corners and most vulnerable communities of our country by affording them the necessary opportunity to unleash their full potential and maximum capacity.E-applications in ICTs are key to improving governance through the e-government platform for improved services such as healthcare, education,home affairs products and documents to empower the youth , women and the elderly .
ICTs play a pivotal role to the achievement of MDGs by 2015. The need to eradicate poverty, eliminate hunger, fight ill health and illiteracy.
Connectivity key
A communication highway and state of the art technology that will robustly serve the country yes..urban and rural more so rural..serve the region and beyond ..to be the hub of Icts by 2015.
A call on communities, business and private sector at large to join government to pull every conceivable resource to ensure the upliftment of rural communities...let ICTs touch our lives yes our dailly lives the food we eat , the water we drink , the clothes we wear, the church we chose , the information we consume and share....
The essence of every human endeavor is the pursuit of convenience and happiness.Fortunately, convenience and happiness is ICTs ' second nature.Convenience and happiness is the other definition of ICTS...
let's make ZImbawe a truly information society where Icts facilitate all aspects and facets of everyday life even in the most remote and rural communities of the country.
It is for this reason that the government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of ICT has instituted a robust policy mix including but not limited to the following ;
The government has been vindicated on the decision to remove duty on all ICT products.
The government is setting up information kiosks for growth points and townships in the rural areas.
The government is set to launch the project of PC per classroom soon.
The ICT bill to regulate and govern the ICT sector in the country is ready awaiting conclusion of government-wide consultation and Cabinet consideration.
On the infrastructure, we recently completed the Mutare fibre-optic link to Mozambique .
We are building a fibre optic link from Harare to Beitbridge via gweru and Bulawayo.The work has gone 40 km fro Norton towards Chegutu.
We also have completed a handshake with Botswana.
Our ICT mobile penetration rates have surged to 7 170 000 for a population of 12 600 000 indicating a 56.9 per cent mark.
Internet penetration rates have also dramatically risen after the introduction of data services via the 3G platform.
We also conducted a household survey on subsistence farmers and commercial farmers on access on ICTS and ICT usage and the information is yet to be collated.
The Universal Services Funds set aside for remote and underserved areas are awaiting disbursement upon the finalization of the awarding of tenders by State Procurement Board.The USF will be funding construction of passive telecom infrastructure to be shared by all operators beginning 8 projects, one per administrative province.
Government is set to launch the e-government strategy and plan called 'Zimconnect' soon.
On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe , we join the rest of the world in wishing you not just a happy world information society day but a happy life forever after Icts are life....a better life with ICTs in rural communities is our mission !!!!!
Thank you,
God bless you, God bless our beautiful country, the motherland Zimbabwe..
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