Black Bush Polder, Blairmont get ICT Hubs

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, June 1, 2018

Blairmont in Region Five and Black Bush Polder in Region Six are the most recent beneficiaries of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hubs bringing the total to 119 hubs.

The ICT hubs were today officially opened by Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes.

This young lad tests his skills on one of the laptop computers at the Blairmont ICT hub.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes beams as a student cuts the ribbon to officially open the Black Bush Polder ICT hub.

Students of the Joanna Primary school receive their laptops from Chairman, Yakusari Culture Centre, Mohabir Ramnauth as Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes looks on.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes watches on as Chairman, National Data Management Authority, Floyd Levi receives his medal of appreciation.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes smiles as a pupil places a garland around her neck.

Minister Hughes speaking during the opening ceremony of the Black Bush Polder hub said it is a perfect example of public-private partnership.

She pointed out that young people in Guyana, with access to ICTs are being afforded the same opportunities as those in developed countries. Access to the internet, the Minister underscored will improve the life of every Guyanese, pointing to the numerous possibilities for entrepreneurship.

Importantly, the Public Telecommunications Minister said the ICT hub initiative augurs well for the education sector, allowing students to complete research in a safe and comfortable space.

She announced that in a few weeks Grade Six Assessment applications, curriculum guides and the CXC applications will be loaded on the computers in the ICT hubs.

While at Blairmont, Minister Hughes explained to residents the administration’s vision of making available over 200 government services online, such as passport applications.

Speaking along similar lines, Chairman, National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi said the government is not only providing the laptops and free wifi but training.

He called on the Management Committees to ensure that every citizen regardless of age is given access to the hubs and computers.

In the coming weeks, the ICT hubs across the country will have posters with a list of useful websites to assist citizens with research.

The hubs are equipped with 10 and 15 laptop computers in Black Bush Polder and Blairmont respectively.

Additionally, Minister Hughes, the NDMA chairman Levi and Director, NDMA Phillip Walcott were awarded medals of appreciation by Chairman of the Yakusari Culture Centre, Mohabir Ramnauth.

The Centre houses the Black Bush Polder hub while the Blairmont hub is housed at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office.

By: Stacy Carmichael.

Images: Gajuan Jordan.