200 indigenous communities to get ICT hubs
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai

–as gov’t rolls out ‘solar panel per household’ initiative in the hinterland

By Jared Liddell
REDUCING many disparities between the hinterland and coastal areas necessitates the use of technology, a critical tool which the new government is looking to afford persons in indigenous communities, through the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs.

This initiative is being pioneered by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, which, according to subject Minister, Pauline Sukhai, is finalising plans to reinstitute its “solar panel per household” initiative in the first quarter of this year.
“The ministry has been working assiduously to finalise plans to ensure that the persons in the indigenous communities have access to electricity in 2021,” Sukhai said during a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle.
The minister pointed out that many indigenous communities are without electricity to this day, putting them at a significant disadvantage in terms of having, what some might consider, basic resources for ‘ease’ and ‘comfort’.
Technology, for instance, could only be utilised when there is electricity, so it is only natural that the installation of solar panels precedes the establishment of ICT hubs.

While noting that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has not yet designated a specific indigenous community for the initiation of this project, Minister Sukhai said Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine are already receiving electricity through the use of solar panels.
Speaking specifically about the establishment of ICT hubs, she said that over 200 indigenous communities will be benefiting from this initiative. With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic changing the way many sections of society operate, this is an opportune time for young people in hinterland communities to adopt and benefit from internet access.
It is for this reason that the minister said that the initiative will not only allow persons to broaden their horizons with electronic (E)-learning, but also open new and creative opportunities that were otherwise unavailable because of their inability to access the Internet.
At the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, had committed to launching this initiative in 10 communities in Region Two, namely: Bethany, Mashabo, Capoey, Tapakuma, Mainstay, Wakapau, Kabakaburi, St. Monica Mission, Karawab and Akawini.

The President had said that the funding to undertake this project would be sourced from India through a line of credit of US$10 million. President Ali had said the aim is to ensure that students in Amerindian villages have access to education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have you on an immediate programme to benefit from the solar system per household. We have restructured the expenditure to ensure you are on the programme,” the President said.

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