‘Over 3 000 Government institutions equipped with internet in 2022

Mthabisi Tshuma in Masvingo
TELECOMMUNICATIONS regulator Potraz equipped over 3 000 Government institutions with internet connectivity in 2022, Potraz director general Dr Gift Machengete has said.

The move was part of ensuring effective service delivery by Government institutions in light of the growth of the digital sector. Speaking at the official commissioning of the Mutendi High School laboratory here in Masvingo last Wednesday,  Dr Machengete said digital connectivity is key in alleviating impacts of Covid-19.

“In 2022 a total of 1 117 schools were connected to the Internet under the Schools Connectivity Programme. An additional 672 Schools and 17 institutions of Higher and Tertiary Learning, including Polytechnics and Vocational Training Centres, were provided with 12 months bandwidth under the Information Communication Technology (ICT) for disaster management programme, as a way of alleviating the impact of Covid -19.

“In terms of setting up of School Computer Laboratories, the programme for which we are all gathered here, in 2022, the Authority  equipped 186 computer laboratories at various schools country wide with a minimum of 30 computers each.

“The total number of computers disbursed to schools during the year is 4 280. Apart from the e-learning initiatives I have alluded to, in 2022, a total of 955 health centres were connected to the internet with one year bandwidth subscription being paid for each of the centres. Additionally, a total of 249 Police Stations were connected to the Internet under the E-Government Programme. Only yesterday (Tuesday) we distributed 160 computers to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare under the same programme as we accelerate the programme this year.

“We shall certainly continue on the same trajectory as we accelerate the ICT Lab per school program as we move in haste to reach all corners of the country. Ladies and gentlemen, can I prophesy?… can I prophesy? Well I’m not prophet, handizi Papa weku Church, but I certainly declare 2023 a year of acceleration. I declare 2023 a year of transformation. I declare 2023 a year of progress in the ICT sector.

We shall certainly surpass what we did last year,” he said.

Dr Machengete said last year they constructed 32 new Community Information Centres which are at various stages of completion. -@mthabisi_mthire