Focus Media (Kigali)
Rodrigue Rwirahira
10 January 2009
In order to bring ICT closer to the people, the government through its eRwanda project is set to establish a telecenter in all districts. The first one was recently inaugurated in Gicumbi.
The eRwanda project's mission is to contribute to the transformation of Rwanda into a knowledge-based society through the use of information and communication technology (ICT). It is in this respect that the Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) proceeded with the national launch of Telecenters and districts websites in Gicumbi district, Northern Province.
According to Wilson Muyenzi, eRwanda project Manager in RITA, the centers aim to empower people in selected rural areas and underserved urban communities in ICT, provide computer training to these people, create services based on ICT and facilitating access and connectivity.
The project should also enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of local government processes using ICT and improve the delivery of government services in selected key sectors.
However, it seems that people still need to get used at the Telecenters-at least in Gicumbi.
"At first, people compared the structure to a petrol station," said Gabriel Byaruhanga, the Manager of Gicumbi Telecenter. "Many didn't care, and it took us time to explain them what it really was, telling them that through their 'petrol station' they could write letters, provide and ask for information, chat with friends abroad, etc. in little time."
"After that, people started trickling in; some sent their children for training, and others were students who came to surf on Internet. There was already Internet access in the area, but it was very expensive, at nearly Frw 1,000 per hour; we are providing it for 300 francs like in Kigali," Byaruhanga explained.
Ndinsanze Mutabaruka, a 13-year old who had been trained for one week, said that he learnt a lot as far as Internet is concerned, he now has his own E-mail address through which he corresponds with friends.
Jeannette Benerugo, a 20-year old student at Groupe Scolaire Nyamagabe who has also been following training courses at the Telecenter, is very excited about it.
"Now I know how to use a printer and a scanner. At school, we don't practice a lot, it's 80% theory; at the Telecenter, it's 80% practice," she says.
At the same occasion, RITA also launched the e-district project; www.district.gov.rw was created as the national districts portal which will provide useful information about the district-level government. It will facilitate web advertisements for Districts, communication, online eGovernment services and improvement of the district and provincial image.
Prof. Romain Murenzi, the Minister in the President's Office in Charge of Science and Technology, said that these are practical contributions to ICT development in Rwanda and to achieving Vision 2020.
He added that in 2012 all primary learners should have their mini-laptop for their studies and that everybody will have mobile phones if companies like MTN and Rwandatel accomplish their objectives.
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