Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Zanzibar government has reaffirmed commitment to boost digital and blue economies for the benefit of the citizens.
Zanzibar’s Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Works, Communication and Transport, Amoul Hamil, made the assurance on Thursday at an event to hand over a telecentre constructed by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for Tumbatu Secondary School.
A telecentre is a public place where people can access computers, the Internet and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information.The centre will therefore, provide ICT services to teachers, students and the public in Tumbatu area.
“Our aim as the government is that we are going to implement our intent of ensuring that there is effective use of ICT,” the permanent secretary stated.
He said his docket will ensure that proper strategies are in place to make as many schools as possible access ICT services.
He said the telecentre donated to the school, to benefit 3,000 people, is part of a TCRA programme called ‘ICT-pack’ which has so far donated six telecentres in the Isles in efforts to ensure that more citizens access telecommunication services especially in remote areas.
He also called upon other stakeholders to contribute to the growth of ICT especially in education institutions and remote areas so that the government could realise its goal of building an inclusive digital economy.
Speaking on behalf of TCRA’s Director General, Head of TCRA Zanzibar office, Ms Esuvatie Masinga, pointed out that the objective of the TCRA is to make ICT be inclusive and reach to all citizens.
Some potential beneficiaries expressed their feelings over the donated telecentre, saying it would facilitate learning and communication in the area.
Headmaster of the school, Jala Pandu Khamis, said the centre will not only help in improving learning among students, but also enhancetelecommunication among the residents.
“Let me thank the TCRA for this support, the centre will not only belong to the school but also ordinary citizens in the area,” he said.
The TCRA has been enabling the availability of ICT services in remote areas by constructing ICT infrastructures.
