Staff Reporter
Government yesterday launched the state of the art Maranda Community Information Centre in Mwenezi District, Masvingo, as part of the programme to ensure rural communities have access to information technology. The programme is a critical aspect to foster growth and development.
Addressing about 50 members of Maranda community, Ward 15, yesterday, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Jenfan Muswere said the Community Information Centres were meant to keep rural areas with development in ICTs.
“One major problem facing rural communities in Zimbabwe is the limited access to relevant and current information about health, education, economy, transport, and agriculture and access markets. Without information, the rural communities are hampered from fully participating in national development,” said Minister Muswere.
The ICT Minister further said that the New Dispensation was supporting the establishment of Information Centres as they help in bridging the information gap between urban and rural population.
“The overall aim in the establishment of Community Information Centres is to achieve equity of access to information and thereby bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities,” said the Minister.
He added that the community should utilize the Centre to acquire current knowledge about the Covid 19 pandemic and also to conduct researches that will improve their livelihoods.
Minister Muswere said Government had prioritized ICTs as a cornerstone for development, particularly in under-served communities and has donated 100 computers to 10 secondary schools in Mwenezi District.
The Maranda Information centre was equipped with ten internet connected computers and will benefit students, learners and other members of the community to access information they need.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira said that he was confident that the Maranda Community Information Centre would make a valued contribution to the economic, social and cultural lives in Maranda and the surrounding communities.
Cde Chadzamira further said that he hoped that learners in the area would utilize the Centre to do researches and improve their overall school performances.
He implored Minister Muswere to ensure that more Information Centres are established in other parts of Masvingo to ensure that people have access to information.
The community information and technology centres continue to be established by the Government in response to needs within the communities that they serve. They share an underlying purpose, which is to achieve equality of access to information; or, at least, to reduce levels of inequality.
Maranda Community Information Centre is the second Information Centre in Mwenezi District. The first was launched in Rutenga last year.
