Africa-Press – Mauritius. The first hotspot of the free Wi-Fi Zone, aiming to democratise the access to internet in the country, was launched, this evening, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Chamarel.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin; the Member of Parliament, Ms Marie Sandra Mayotte; the Chairperson of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), Mr Dick Ng Sui Wa; and other personalities were present.
An initiative of the ICTA under its Universal Service Fund, the project aims at providing free internet connection in public spaces such as community centres, village halls, hospitals, and district councils. The project covers around 234 access points in ten different regions of Mauritius including Rodrigues.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Jugnauth pointed out that the launch of the free Wi-Fi Zone, in the small village of Chamarel with 900 inhabitants, is in line with Government’s vision to pursue the digital transformation of Mauritius while promoting an inclusive society where all individuals have equal access opportunities and internet connection.
On this score, he recalled the launching of 350 Wi-Fi hotspots financed through the Mauritius Telecom Foundation. Prime Minister Jugnauth called upon everyone to make use of technological tools in a digitally-driven world.
Government, he said, will continue with developmental progress while stressing on the necessity to maintaining law and order in the country. He also spoke of the global challenges such as decrease in exportation from many countries and increase in prices of commodities due to the COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Furthermore, Mr Jugnauth reiterated the relentless fight against the drug scourge. The promulgation of Information and Communication Technologies Regulations as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry on Drug Trafficking to monitor drug traffickers resorting to satellite phones was also highlighted by the Prime Minister.
He also seized the opportunity to laud the remarkable performance of Ms Priscilla Morand for winning the gold medal in the judo competition at the Senior African Championships in Algeria and Ms Christianne Legentil for winning the silver medal.
He moreover stressed on the need to engage in physical activities and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Minister Ganoo, for his part, said that Mauritius is the leading country in Africa with regard to technological advancement.
He elaborated on several projects in the region such as the construction of a bridge and new bus shelters geared towards modernising the infrastructural landscape for the welfare of the residents.
The extension of the Metro Express till Phoenix was also highlighted by the Minister. As for the Chairperson of ICTA, he enumerated the initiatives of the institution in contributing to an efficient and regulated ICT sector. He spoke of the annual meeting of the French-speaking telecommunications regulatory network which will be organised by the ICTA in Mauritius.
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