Residents of Block 22 in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will now have access to free Internet services with the recent opening of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub. Eight Internet-ready computers are now available for use to residents of the community following the official opening of yet another ICT Hub. Situated in the Block 22 Multipurpose building, the hub was officially opened with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon and a simple ceremony.
Director, Community Development and Social Management of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Phillip Walcott speaking at the recent opening, said that the plan is to ensure that Guyanese become computer literate.
According to Walcott, while affordability is a challenge for some citizens, connectivity is a problem for others; hence he noted a US$31 million project will be launched later this year, to extend the reach of the Internet.
“An ICT hub is created so you can have access to a device and then for others the challenge of connectivity and ICT hubs provide free wifi so that that challenge is removed. You run out of data that you can use in the comfort of your home, you can come to the hub during the hours the hub is available and you can use that,” he added.
Members of the community are soon expected meet to elect a Management Committee which will be responsible for the operation of the hub. The NDMA is under the E-Government Unit of the Public Telecommunications Ministry.
