Cumberland, Cane Grove go online – as ICT hubs commissioned

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 21, 2018

Residents of Cumberland, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and Cane Grove, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) are the newest beneficiaries of the E-Government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes today declared the two facilities open, bringing the total number of hubs to 123.

During the opening at Cumberland, Minister Hughes called on teachers, students and parents to take advantage of the learning opportunities available to them through the internet.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and Chairperson, Cane Grove Community Development Council, Donette Adams watches as a pupil of the Virginia Nursery cuts the ribbon.

Some of the laptops at the Cane Grove ICT hub.

Director, Community Development and Social Management, National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Phillip Walcott.

Smiling faces at the Cumberland ICT Hub.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes smiles as a pupil of Cumberland Primary cuts the ribbon.

She disclosed that all the textbooks needed for students in the public schools are now available on the laptops and encouraged that they “spread the word” to other residents.

Regardless of age, the Public Telecommunications Minister said every citizen can learn how to use the internet to develop themselves.

Director of Community Development and Social Management, National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Phillip Walcott thanked the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam for funding the construction of the hub.

He noted that without cooperation, the initiative would not have been successful and called on the Rotary to continue to invest in ICT hubs in other villages in the region.

President of the New Amsterdam Rotary Club, Ramroop Rajnauth commended the Government for the bold and great ICT hubs project while pointing to the numerous advantages for the citizens.

The Cumberland ICT hub is housed at the office of the Ordnance Fortland Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and is furnished with 20 laptops.

While over at the Cane Grove ICT hub, Minister Hughes said the success of the youths depends on how well they utilise the facility.

Her sentiments were endorsed by Deputy Chairman of Region Four, Earl Lambert, who also called on the teachers and students to make maximum use of the hub to improve themselves academically.

The Cane Grove ICT hub is housed at the Craft Centre and is furnished with 14 laptops.

The provision of ICT hubs is recognised by Government as one of the more important tools for development in a modern world and has, therefore, embarked on the initiative to enable communities in all ten administrative regions to have access to high-quality ICT infrastructure.

By: Stacy Carmichael.

Images: Kennyann Bacchus.