– MP Hussain says, encourages residents to embrace digitalisation
By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain emphasised the government’s ongoing commitment to building an inclusive society while speaking at the launch of a groundbreaking ICT Inclusive Skills Training Programme in Region Six where he strongly encouraged all citizens to embrace the digitalisation.
The initiative was introduced by the Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit in collaboration with the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities and Empower Guyana. Thirty-six persons registered to be a part of the programme, which will run for 48 hours, on average, over a two to three-month period and will be delivered to three batches of up to 12 participants each.
One batch will focus on training persons who are visually impaired, while the other two batches will provide basic computer skills training for persons with other disabilities, and the training will take place at the Business Centre for Equity, Opportunities and Innovations in Berbice, targeting participants from Regions Five and Six.
“For the first time, this programme is being delivered as a two-fold initiative, that is significant. It recognises that inclusion is intentional and it must be designed and it must be accessible to all.”
He then pointed out how important the ICT skills are in today’s developing world. “It is a necessity. So, we have to ensure…how the world is changing, we as a people have to adapt and change as well. Irrespective of our challenges, we must be able to keep up with the pace …we are changing not only in Guyana but in the world at large.”
“So, these are things we have to learn in the world of the technology that is happening now. We should recognise also that His Excellency, the President is placing so much of emphasis on digital transformation. We have right here (Palmyra) a digital school that is running. We have to make sure now that we tap into that; we have the GOAL scholarship. We have to ensure that we upgrade ourselves and tap into the GOAL scholarships and better ourselves.”
Additionally, he spoke about the digitalisation of the health system “and it is important that when you go to the hospital you can get your records digitally, you can see what is happening…”
He stressed that “there is so much that is happening across Guyana,” and applauded the Industry and Innovation Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister for reaching out to communities.
The unit would have done training throughout the region for persons of all ages including pensioners.
“We are trying to educate persons. People as old as 60 and 70 years, we trained now in this process, so you have to understand what His Excellency is trying to do, and you know there’s a lot of people that don’t appreciate what this government does. Sometimes, they go and they try to turn the people’s mind away from what the government is doing, the real agenda of what the government is doing for the people, and we have to be very careful as citizens and residents of Region Six,” he said.
Further, he said: “You can be a testimony to the development that is happening right across Region Six. When you walk out there’s development all around. There’s a new stadium, and the stadium is being built to accommodate 100 persons with disability, you can go with your wheelchair, and you can go and enjoy cricket. So, it’s not that we are leaving out anyone; we are trying to get everyone included.”
Hussain used the opportunity to encourage persons to utilise the various apps available which include the Citizens Connect and the Agriculture App where “you can go and give your complaints…online.”
