Toshaos benefit from tablet distribution

— plans are in place to expand ICT in hinterland communities

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 10, 2019

As the government works to ensure hinterland communities are not left behind in this age of technology, they are making sure community leaders are also equipped. On Thursday evening, 200 Huawei electronic tablets were distributed to the Indigenous leaders attending the 13^th National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes presents Chairman of the NTC and Toshao of Shulinab, Nicholas Fredericks with his electronic tablet.

[In the photo, from left to right] Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Hon. Sydney Allicock presents one of the Toshaos with an electronic tablet along with Minister within Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes.

Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes presented the devices to the Toshaos and urged the Indigenous leaders to use the devices to better serve their respective communities.

“You are responsible for developing your communities and with this donation, you will be able to do so more effectively and efficiently.”

The Telecommunications Minister explained that her ministry is “in the process of connecting all communities. We have a great plan for the hinterland in 2020.”

In 2017, the ministry signed onto the five-year E-Access and ICT Services for Hinterland, Poor, and Remote Communities Project. The implementation for the project began in January of this year which, the minister said, has benefited the health and education sectors in the hinterland.

Through a carefully prepared PowerPoint presentation, CEO of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi informed the Toshaos of the Telecommunications Ministry’s direction for future ICT Infrastructural development in the hinterland. Among these are the installation of CCTV and IP PEX system, which will allow the hinterland residents to make free collect calls and another 100 communities will benefit from internet connectivity.

Minister Hughes also promised to return on Friday to distribute tablets to the Community Development Officers (CDOs).