Minister of ICT Commissions 10 CIC’s In Harare

Minister of Information Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services Jenfan Muswere has commissioned 10 Community Information Centres in Harare.

Speaking at the official opening of the CIC’s Muswere said the use and access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) is very crucial in the journey towards vision 2030.

“The commissioning of 10 CIC’s in Harare Metropolitan is part of the grand strategy to ensure that as we journey towards vision 2030 we ensure that we live no place and no one behind. Distinguished guests you will realise on today’s commissioning in terms of CIC’s that we managed to commission CIC’s in Msasa, Mt Pleasant, Belvedere, Highfields, Glen Norah and finally we are here in Glen View so that we ensure that we live no place and no one behind.

“The digital economy is one of 14 key priorities that is going to transform a micro-economic to a macro-economic landscape of this country. The use and access to ICT’s is very important as we journey towards vision 2030, as we focus on four critical explicitly objectives that is excess, utilisation, industry growth and governance and in terms of governance we have managed to develop a Cyber and Data Protection Bill which seeks to ensure that there is safe and security utilisation of information communication technology.

“Cyber Bill which was asserted to by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa focuses on ensuring that we curb the majority of the malpractices, the negative aspect of ICT. It focuses on ensuring that we have a safe cyber space, it also focuses on ensuring that there no space for cyber bullying, there is no space for child pornography, there is no space for the negative aspects including identity theft.

Muswere added that his Ministry is working closely with the private sector to accelerate the deployment of ICT infrastructure.

“We are also working closely with the private sector so that we are in a position to accelerate the deployment of ICT infrastructure across the country the smart Zimbabwe master plan is the ICT bible which seeks to ensure that there is inclusivity across the country.

“So the bringing in of CIC’S will support the training, the easy killing, will support the researching development in the ICT arena, it will also assist in the various spheres and sector in the economy as these facilities will be used for free.

“The CIC’s will complement the student, learners, business people industrialist in various areas as we journey towards a digitally connected society by the year 2030,” said Muswere.

Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority ( POTRAZ) Director General Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete also added that the commissioning of CIC’s in the urban areas is in line with the theme of leaving no one and no place behind because it is promoting inclusivity and equality.

“One such project, which is leaving no one and no place behind is the Community Information Centre project. Hon. Minister, the launch of CICs in Harare Province excites me as it dispels allegations that POTRAZ only focuses on rural areas – leaving urban communities behind.

“While I admit that we are more visible in rural areas due to the existing rural-urban divide, we are cognisant of the need for Internet access and use programs in cities and towns too, hence the setting up of CICs in Harare and other urban parts of the country as we promote inclusivity and equality,” he said.