Harare, (New Ziana) – The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has been challenged to take a leadership role in driving development and adoption of modern communication technologies to ensure the country keeps abreast of trends world wide, a cabinet minister has said.
In an address at a POTRAZ strategic plan review workshop in Bulawayo on Wednesday, the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera said Zimbabwe must be better prepared for rapid changes that technology is bringing.
“POTRAZ, as our experts, must anticipate new technologies and be agile enough to quickly propose appropriate policy frameworks for deployment of those technologies. In order to provide thought leadership in the ICT sector, Potraz must strengthen its Research and Development,” said Mavetera.
She said where POTRAZ does not have sufficient internal capacity to carry out research and development, they are expected to enter into partnerships with research institutions that can either avail their facilities to them or carry out the research for them.
She implored the telecoms regulator to make efforts to improve the operations of the Data Protection Authority, saying it is essential to clearly explain the Cyber and Data Protection Act to the public.
“We need to promote a comprehensive understanding of the Data Protection Regulations currently in place and ensure compliance. Additionally, periodic reviews of the regulations are necessary to adapt to advancements in our technology-driven society,” Mavetera said.
She challenged POTRAZ to take decisive action to drive the digitalization of the country’s economy by aggressively funding and implementing a range of ICT projects, drawing funding from the Universal Service Fund.
She said the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic unequivocally demonstrated that access to ICTs is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity. Mavetera also challenged POTRAZ to scale up the roll-out of ICT projects in peri-urban and remote areas that still lack access to basic ICT services, and less reliable broadband connectivity.
“I encourage POTRAZ to actively enhance the deployment of Community Information Centres (CICs), as well as to improve access to computers and internet connectivity in rural schools and health centers. “By taking a proactive role in promoting ICT innovations through hackathons and funding innovation hubs, POTRAZ can inspire a wave of creativity and problem-solving,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, Potraz director general, Gift Machengete said this year POTRAZ managed to extend connectivity to under-served rural areas. The Community Information Centre (CIC) initiative, said Machengete, expanded with thirty-two new CICs, to bring the total to 202.
However, Machengete said the achievements were not a stroll in the park as they encountered challenges with contractors who demanded payment in forex mid-way, which forced the authority to cancel a number of contracts, thus stalling progress.
“We are in the process of installing back up solar power at all 202 CICs to ensure uninterrupted access of these centres by members of the public. To date a total of twenty (20) CICs have benefited from the solar installations.
“As we end the year, we have heeded the call to Re-Christian the centres – Digital Information Centres and we are in the process of coming up with a policy change to guide the new thinking, a brainchild of our Minister,” he said.
Under the e-Learning program, Machengete said Potraz managed to distribute 2831 computers to 238 schools during the year, although many other schools still need support.
He said Potraz also distributed 227 Computers to various government institutions including health care centres, Government agencies, departments and Ministries under the e-Government program, making a total of 3 058 distributed under the two programs. A total of seven new telecom licences were also issued this year as well as three new players in the courier services sector.
New Ziana
