'ICT knowledge now a basic need'

By Staff reporter | 03 Dec 2019 at 20:54hrs
Muswere
Knowledge in the use of ICTs is now a basic need and an essential skill for productivity and development, ICT minister Jenfan Muswere has said.

This comes as the government has for long emphasised on the need for pro-production solutions to the country's economic malaise, characterised by foreign currency constraints, a huge current account deficit and de-industrialisation.

As a result, the Zimbabwean government, in conjunction with the country's postal and telecoms regulator Potraz has taken deliberate steps to facilitate access to ICTs, through the establishment of community information centres (CICs) at post offices throughout the country.

Muswere was speaking at the belated World Post Day commemorations held at Rutenga growth point in Masvingo province on Friday.

The CIC's comprise a training room, gaming room and an internet café.
Muswere said Potraz then embarked on the roll-out of the containerised village information centre (CVIC) project at the beginning of the year 2018.

A CVIC is a CIC that is established in containers and is deployed in underserved and unserved rural communities where there is no space in post offices or where there are no post offices at all.

"I have it on good authority that 24 CVICs have been deployed countrywide and Masvingo has benefited by having four (4) sites which are situated at Bikita Post Office, Maranda Growth Point, Rutenga Business Centre and Buffalo Range," he said.

"I implore you to make full use of your CICs. I further urge you to take good care of the facility. Do not vandalise the equipment or allow it to be vandalised

"Guard your CIC jealously as it is your gateway to sustainable community development and personal advancement," he added.

World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October and not 29 November.

The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) creation in 1874.

The UPU is a specialised arm of the United Nations that is charged with ensuring the provision of Postal Services around the world. Zimbabwe, as a member of the UPU, also celebrates World Post Day.

This year's theme: 'Delivering development is delivering progress' resonates very well with my Ministry's vision that is anchored on leveraging ICTs.

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