…for first 27,000 laptops
AS plans intensify for the roll out of the first phase of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and Senior Project Manager for the OLPF Sesh Sukhdeo  yesterday met with over 50 staff from across the country, with the exception of  hinterland locations where hubs are yet to be established. The initiative, aimed at strengthening customer relations when addressing issues and concerns with regard to specifications of the brainchild project of President Bharrat Jagdeo, was held at Duke Lodge, Kingston.
Minister Nadir said the session will better equip the staff for the roll-out of the first phase of the project which will see 27,000 households benefiting from the distribution exercise, after a massive verification exercise of over 15,000 people is completed.
Over 200 learning hubs will also be established, and as such, each staff will be required to provide a service of high standard as government prepares the nation for a brighter future.
“The tenders have closed and we hope that by Tuesday we are going to finalise the tender; but the big task is Monday, when we are going to be out on the road. We have about 45,000 applications; in this first phase it’s 27,000 that will see four categories benefiting,” he said.
Among the first to benefit from the programme would be single parents, the differently able, and low income earners, which includes students who receive subsidies from CXC and organized community groups.
“This is now getting into full steam; and it can’t happen without fully trained and organised staffers. There is going to be also a focus on the resources that we need to mobilize, and we will also be putting close to 120 people in the field in the next two weeks to accomplish this task,” Minister Nadir said.
Government’s aim is to build a knowledge society where its populace boasts the highest level of education as that of the developed world. As such, it is important that society adapts to the new ICT industry which will see Guyanese being empowered through the use of computer technology.
“The PPP/C administration’s vision is to ensure that this knowledge society is driven by a people with the greatest access to the internet, particularly any form of ICT, and the OLPF is a small part in the ICT strategy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the senior project coordinator told the staff that   while the objective is to provide information to the public, this must be done in a professional manner, reflective of the organisation’s culture.
“As you conduct your work, it is important how you answer questions and interact with the public, since everyone that you come in contact with is your customer, and it is your duty to ensure that the system works well.”
While a training exercise will be done with the aim of ensuring that every member of the household develops computer skills, the verification process is also important, as it will ensure that information provided by an applicant is accurate.
The project is slated to be carried out over a two-year period, and will see 90,000 laptops being handed over to households. (GINA)