The Zimbabwe government unexpectedly pulled the plug on the country’s local information and communication technology (ICT) last Thursday, when it postponed indefinitely the official launch of the national ICT policy.
Slated for Thursday last week, to coincide with the opening of the three-day IT Africa exhibition that ended on Saturday, the national ICT policy was expected to be officially launched by President Robert Mugabe in Harare.
“The Ministry of science and Technology Development wishes to announce with regret that the launch of the ICT policy framework which was planned for Thursday 28 September 2006 at Harare International conference Centre, main auditorium at 9:30 am has been postponed,” the ministry said in a statement last week.
“Invitees and stakeholders will be informed in due course of the new date and venue for the launch,” the statement added.
But some organizers of the IT Africa Exhibition expressed dismay at the postponement saying the development had been unexpected and unfortunate and would take away the progress achieved so far.
The government, through its ICT policy, hopes to create a sustainable knowledge society and economy through the promotion and effective use of ICTs.
A project to draft the national ICT policy framework was initiated in 2003 by government through the ministry of science and technology development.
The government, in November 2005, approved the draft policy.
It is an integrated legal and institutional framework providing strategic direction for the country’s sustainable development through the use of ICTs.
The national ICT policy framework provides for, among other things, the establishment of a National Information and Communication Technology Authority, National Information and Communication Technology Converged Regulator and e-Government Agency.
The converged regulator will among other objectives promote and regulate the development of communications networks and facilities.
It will also deal with issues of licensing, charges and tariffs, standards and consumer protection.
This year more than 40 orporates, up from 31 last year, have participated this year’s edition of the IT Africa Expo that ended on Saturday.
Bibliography: IT Africa Exhibition took place between Thursday 28 September and Saturday 30 September at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Quelle/Source: African News Dimension, 03.10.2006
