Minister Allicock delivers on a promise to Siberian/Old England residents
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DPI Guyana, Saturday, March 10, 2018
Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock today, visited the community of Siberian/Old England, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where he delivered equipment to wire the community’s newly rehabilitated ICT Hub.
Minister Allicock was fulfilling a request made in 2017, by the residents for assistance in wiring the community hub.
Through self-help efforts, the residents upgraded the hub from a wooden building to a concrete structure. They have also engaged a number of individuals and agencies for support to install tiles, windows, a door, and chairs in the facility.
Once the building is fully complete, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications through the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) will be equipping the hub with computers and internet connection.
During a simple handing over ceremony, Minister Allicock spoke of the role that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays in developing the local economy. “Communication is necessary. It means that you have access to information, and the information is knowledge and knowledge is power,” he told the residents.
Urging the residents to continue working together to improve their community, Minister Allicock reminded that the Coalition Government represents all the people of Guyana, and therefore, support will be given to ensure their vision of community development becomes a reality.
NDMA’s Social Management Administrator Marlon Pearson disclosed that the Public Telecommunication Ministry is entering the phase, where it will be facilitating ICT training to ensure every citizen of Guyana is computer literate.
Pearson said placing ICT hubs in communities will ensure persons have access to the World Wide Web (WWW) where they can market their produce, promote their businesses and access basic online services.
Chairperson of the Community Development Council (CDC), Ruby Bakker thanked Minister Allicock for the donation and mentioned that she will be lobbying for additional support for other developmental projects for the expanding community.
By: Synieka Thorne