Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 31, 2013 News
– Amerindian communities to benefit from computer banks
Amerindian communities in the hinterland region will soon benefit from Government’s Information Communication and Technology programme with the provision of computers. Government has allocated $500M in this year’s Budget to install computer banks and supportive power supply in every Amerindian village.
This was revealed by Dr. Ashni Singh, Finance Minister, during the Budget presentation on March 25, last.
This initiative is part of Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme that was launched in January 2011 and is expected to see the distribution of 90,000 computers to poor families.
Because, of limited access to electricity in Amerindian communities Government thinks it best to place the computers at a central location in the villages.
According to Dr. Singh, Government has earmarked $2B to continue the OLPF programme in other parts of Guyana. This allocation includes the purchase of a further 34,000 laptops to expand the distribution reach.
Last year, $1.6B was spent under the OLPF to procure 28,000 laptops, resulting in a total of 56,000 laptops being purchased.
“To date, 26,832 laptops have been distributed, and 18,714 persons have been trained including 4,596 first time computer users,” he added. However, the programme has had its share of challenges.
Last August, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon confirmed that more that 100 laptops bought under the OLPF were stolen from the project’s Queenstown, Georgetown Office. The Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force was called in.
Moreover, there were accusations that some households have been in receipt of more than one laptop while some in the same community did not benefit.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – After a series of outstanding performances in 2023, Tianna Springer, dubbed the ‘wonder girl’, is eagerly gearing up to compete in this year’s...Kaieteur News – Good Friday in Guyana is not what it used to be. The day has lost much of its solemnity. The one day... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]