ICT project to roll out in 20 hinterland communities

As part of the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Access and E-Services to Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project, 20 out of the 200 listed communities are soon to benefit from this initiative, primarily in the education sector.
Public Communications Minister, Cathy Hughes on Monday convened a meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) with stakeholders across the country to address some of the new developments in the project which was inked back in 2016.
Funded by the United Nations Development Programme, some US$608,000 has been expended so far for assessments, which will see the completion of hubs across 20 communities.
This is deemed as a pilot project which will determine how the other 180 projects are executed. According to officials, these internet hotspots should be ready for commissioning by June.
Through satellites, four megabytes per second bandwidth will be used in areas such Apoteri, Monkey Mountain, Kako, Shulinab, Kaikan, Surama, Jawalla, Philippi, Paruima, Isseneru, Kangaruma, Tasserene, Kurukubaru, Toka, Maruranau, Karaudanau, Kimbia, Wiruni, Aranaputa and Rewa.
In giving her remarks, the Minister explained that the

gap between the hinterland and coast will somewhat be bridged with this mechanism since persons will be exposed to all that is happening.
“We’re excited that our ICT Access and E-Services to Hinterland, Poor And Remote Communities Project is really going to transform members of our indigenous communities…who for the first time will be able to access information communication services at a much higher level than has been provided in Guyana.”
As part of the project, it was highlighted by Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi that students will be exposed to e-learning through live streaming and pre-recorded sessions.
“This project will enhance our capabilities of providing e-learning to remote and hinterland communities. Classes conducted in Georgetown can be recorded or even live-streamed to residents in the hinterland,” said Levi.
He added that it will allow for applications to be filled online, which eliminates covering large distances to do so on the coast. Added to that, they are also looking at providing telemedicine.
The NDMA Chairman emphasised the fact that service providers face numerous difficulties in reaching these locations. As such, they are targeting communities which are unable to access services. For now, the cost of equipping each area varies because of the location.
Project Manager, Phillip Walcott noted that after extensive research, they were able to identify the necessities of these areas and the approaches that are necessary.
Through the National Implementation Modality, the project is funded under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIFF) and is valid for five years.