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Midlands Bureau
GOVERNMENT has operationalised 98 out of 146 Community Information Centres across the country after identifying information and communications technology (ICTs) as an important economic development catalyst for both urban and rural areas.

Addressing thousands of Charandura villagers in Chirumhanzu on Thursday at the official launch of a local Community Information Centre set up by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Kazembe Kazembe said both rural and urban areas must benefit from ICTs.

“It is a great pleasure and indeed an honour to preside over the official launch of Charandura Community Information Centre (CIC) here in Midlands Province. Charandura Community Information Centre is one of 146 Community Information Centres set-up in 10 provinces.

“I have been informed that 98 of the community information centres are already operating. 38 of them will provide free training in the use of computers to members of the community. I have been assured that efforts are underway to ensure that all the remaining Community Information Centres will be operating by year-end,” he said.

Minister Kazembe said Government has identified ICTs as one of the pillars and cornerstone for economic development.

“It is, therefore, our endeavour, as Government, to make sure that every person in Zimbabwe has access to ICTs and has the basic ICT literacy. From a policy perspective, CICs are crucial in empowering the people of Zimbabwe. Access to ICTs and effective participation in the digital economy, is critical in improving the quality of life for all the citizens of Zimbabwe,” he said.

This CIC initiative,Minister Kazembe said, resonated very well with his ministry’s vision that is anchored on leveraging ICTs.

He said efficient and affordable ICT infrastructure and services allow countries to participate in the digital economy and to increase their overall economic well-being, competitiveness, digital inclusion, poverty reduction and improved health.

“As we launch this CIC today, we should keep in mind that knowledge in the use of ICTs is now a basic need and an essential skill for productivity. Research & Development in the use of ICTs is key and, in this respect, the Government has taken the necessary steps to facilitate Research &Development, through establishment of CICs in order to come up with homegrown solutions.

“The aim of the Community Information Centre concept is to create centres where the community can access and use ICTs to promote their businesses, advance their education and improve their livelihood.

“In this regard, Charandura Community Information Centre is furnished with modern computers that are connected to the Internet. It will provide basic electronic services such as Internet surfing, electronic mail service, printing, scanning, photocopying and document binding for your convenience,” he said.

Minister Kazembe said 14 CICs have been established in Midlands Province alone adding that all of them are now operational.

“The other 13 are Donga, Zvishavane, Gweru, Kwekwe, Mvuma, Gokwe, Redcliff, Shurugwi, Zhombe, Mkoba, Mbizo, Nembudziya and Mberengwa. Gweru CIC is the Midlands provincial CIC and provides free training on basic skills in ICTs.

“To date, about 10 989 members of the community have undergone free training in the use of computers throughout the country,” he said.

Minister Kazembe said POTRAZ is also working on the deployment of 24 Containerised Village Information Centres (CVICs) which are set to address ICT needs for people living in areas where conventional CICs could not be established at post offices.

He said Containerised Village Information Centres are modular and easy to fabricate and deploy compared to permanent structures.