— Guyana engages Huawei to expand E-Government network to hinterland

By Tajeram Mohabir
GUYANA has engaged Chinese technology giant Huawei on expanding the US$32M E-Government Network, concentrated mainly on the coastline, to the hinterland regions.Head of the E-Government Unit Floyd Levi told reporters on Friday that discussions were held with the Chinese company following a recent visit to China by a Guyanese delegation. The local delegation which responded to a visit request from Huawei, included Telecoms Minister Cathy Hughes and Public Security Ministry, Citizen Security Strengthening Project Manager, Clement Henry.
Guyana in 2010 secured a U.S.$32M loan from the China Exim Bank to build the E-Government Network along the coastline of Guyana, stretching from Corriverton in the east to Charity on the Essequibo Coast. The network goes as far as Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and around Georgetown it is used to connect Government ministries.
During the discussions, Levi reported that the local team asked Huawei to consider doing an assessment to extend the reach of the network since it does not offer services to citizens south of Diamond. “We don’t get to Bartica, we don’t get to Linden, we don’t get to Annai, we don’t get to Lethem and we don’t get to Mabaruma. So there are several areas south of Diamond that we would like to service and we have asked Huawei to consider expanding the network to those areas,” he said.
The network was operationalised last year and during that time, Levi said a few shortcomings have been identified in its layout as well as the ability of the E-Government Unit to manage and operate the system.
Only four Guyanese have been trained to operate the network since it was built, and the local team also asked the Chinese company to train more local engineers and technicians in this regard. The head of the E-Government Unit said too that apart from technical support, Guyana has requested the Chinese company to provide support in terms of spares for the network. These, he said, will be reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will be signed by Guyana and Huawei in the coming weeks.

SMART CITY INITIATIVE
Henry of the Public Security Ministry praised the visit to China, pointing out that from the ministry’s end, it was interested in securing Smart City Technology for the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme. That U.S.$15M programme seeks to improve citizens’ safety and a portion of the allocated sum goes towards a Safe City Programme.
On assumption of office, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan broadened the focus of the Safe City Programme to include a Smart City Programme that requires the establishment of a data and command centre.
According to Henry, the Smart City Programme will allow for better surveillance, real-time analysis and response, improved traffic management, improved quality and quality of data available to the crime observatory and faster response to emergency and non-emergency situations. Following the China visit, he said, the team has recognised the need for a unified data and command centre, and was satisfied with the possibilities in partnering with Huawei.
New directions
Minister Hughes, who hailed the visit as a fruitful one, said it gave her ministry the opportunity to explore new directions and create new strategies that can propel the development of a green, smart, information-driven Guyana. “It is clear to me today that we cannot solve Guyana’s problems in the traditional way. What’s exciting is that with the use of existing technologies, we have the capacity and many opportunities to truly connect, transform and innovate.
“Here we are talking about establishing an interconnected digital platform that will provide Government services to citizens in an efficient, cost-effective and time-saving manner. It is about establishing 21st Century systems that can manage all Government and private sector data in a safe and secure manner…no more collecting and disposal of mountains of paper after a flood…no more loss of important information that was only available on paper,” she said.
She said the thrust is also to increase bandwidth and improve levels of Internet accessibility which are vital for services such as tele-medicine, tele-education and e-commerce. “It is about better telephone and other communication services among all of our citizens. It is an undisputed fact all over the world that improved bandwidth access by citizens has a corresponding, positive effect in their rate of development, their level of education and the country’s per capita income,” Minister Hughes told reporters.