This was disclosed on his behalf by Mrs Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology, at the inauguration ceremony of the new head office of the Quantum Associates on Gacem Road at the Kanifing Industrial Estate.
“Any development effort which does not put particular emphasis on the benefits to our rural people cannot get the full blessing of my government. Our rural people must benefit from the ICT (Information, Communication, and Technology). I repeat: Our rural people must benefit from ICT,” he said.
President Jammeh added that the provision of universal access to the ICT in the country, especially to the rural areas, was a challenge that was crucial to national growth.
As a result, he said, his government counted on the willingness and collaboration of Quantum Associates and other players in the ICT industry, both nationally and internationally, to extend the benefits of ICTs to the rural areas, stressing that information and communication was at the heart of The Gambia’s future.
“The development of ICT capacity is a primary tool that must play a major role in our fight against poverty. My government recognises that information technology training, internet access and research skills are key to the development of our rural areas and this is why my government appreciates the move by Quantum Associates to open two branches in the rural areas (Basse and Farafenni). Quantum Associates brings the University of Cambridge course work and Global Standard Industry Standard IT courses to our doorsteps. My government has the Rural Electrification Project (REP) and Quantum Associates has the Rural Expansion Drive, code named RED. My vision and that of Quantum Associates are the same. That is our rural citizenry must benefit from all of our development efforts and all advances in technology,” he said.
According to him, the country would not be able to harness the potential of the new technologies, as well as bring them to bear on the national socio-economic development efforts, without the development of the requisite personnel and institutional capacities to support and utilise ICT and IT infrastructures and the industry.
He reiterated that bridging the digital divide to “unleash and harness the tremendous potential of ICTs to achieve the objectives of Vision 2020 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is a major preoccupation of my government”.
President Jammeh then explained: “In order to accomplish the goals of building an all-inclusive information and knowledge-based society as enshrined in WSIS Principles and Action Plan, The Gambia government has identified strategic areas for ICT related interventions. Among them are: National ICT policy and plan for accelerated socio-economic development; capacity development through the implementation of the ICT plan, E-government to promote citizen participation, and national awareness and stakeholder campaigns.”
Mr Jibril Chorr, Managing Director of Quantum Associates, said educating the people and keeping them abreast of advancements in technology had a “direct positive impact on our socio-economic development”. According to him, it is their “civic and moral” responsibility to take the country out of technological obscurity. He said: “This can only be achieved through selfless sacrifice, high intention, professionalism, and diligent enterprise towards the welfare of our people.”
Like the government of The Gambia, Mr Chorr maintained that Quantum Associates valued the rural folks and then described their RED project as a boost to government’s drive to bridge the information technology gap between the urban and rural areas.
“We have been called upon to come and deliver. We think that is an opportunity and a challenge. We will meet the challenge head-on and take our services to the rural areas and put into reality our vision of nationwide presence,” he said.
Joao Bernado Nino Vieira, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, formally inaugurated the new head office of Quantum Associates by cutting the ribbon and then unveiled the plaque.
President Vieira, accompanied by his wife, and some secretaries of state, were later led on a conducted tour of the Quantum Associates head office.
Autor: Ebrima Jaw Manneh
Quelle: Daily Observer, 24.02.2006
