Zhombe communication centre commissioned

THE Government remains committed to improving internet connectivity across the country in line with the right of access to information and the development agenda of leaving no one and no place behind, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.

He made the remarks during the belated International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Zhombe on Monday where he also commissioned a Communication Information Centre (CIC) at Zhombe Post Office.
The CIC has internet connection as well as 15 computers for use by the Zhombe community.

Dr Muswere said almost half of the population remains offline hence Government’s concerted efforts to bridge the digital divide.

“As our internet penetration tracks our GNI (gross national income) per capita with internet penetration rate at 61,3percent, still almost half of the country’s population remains offline. The barriers to internet use for many people are therefore, not that they are not covered by a signal, but that people do not have the resources to get online,” he said.

Dr Muswere said the cost of devices as well as data remain the barriers to internet usage.

While human development is necessary in dealing with “digital inequity”, Dr Muswere said alternative strategies to extend affordable access to communication are being looked into.

“We simply cannot carry on doing things the way we have been doing and expect the exponential changes we require. The technological forms of exclusion are a reality for significant segments of Zimbabwe’s population and that digital inclusion reinforces and deepens existing social exclusion,” he said.

The minister said despite the hype around smartphones connecting the poor, the digital divide between the poor and the rich is critical.

Dr Jenfan Muswere

Dr Muswere said his ministry is working with other players in the sector to set up ICT laboratories in all provinces, including previously marginalised areas.

He said base stations have also been constructed to cover almost all areas while efforts are being made to bring coverage to some areas that had no network.

“While the digital gap between men and women is diminishing, it, however, is persisting. The ministry is involved with ICT development of the country and beyond in terms of ICT governance, infrastructure development, applications development, cyber security, policies and regulations in order to provide ubiquitous and robust access,” said Dr Muswere.

“As the country journeys towards attainment of the first National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, a digital economy plays a key role in ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.”

The IDUAI is celebrated every 28 September and was proclaimed by the 74th United Nations General Assembly in recognition of the significance of access to information.

For the past five years, Zimbabwe has been commemorating the day and each year the commemorations are held in different provinces.-chronicle.co.zw