Govt: We’re improving communication services
DODOMA: THE government has reiterated its commitment to installing communication towers in highly populated areas and border regions to ensure that citizens have access to reliable communication services as the world rapidly shifts to 4th industrial revolution.
Deputy Minister for Information, Communications and Information Technology Engineer Maryprisca Mahundi reaffirmed the government’s commitment, when responding to queries from Members of Parliament during the question-andanswer session yesterday.
A section of backbenchers expressed concerns over lack of electronic communication services in some parts of their constituencies, inquiring about the government’s plans to address the challenge.
Singida North MP Abeid Ramadhani (CCM), asking a basic question, sought to know the government’s plans to provide communication services to 13 villages and eight wards of Muchunga, Ngimu, Makuro, Mudida, Ughandi, Msisi, Msange and Mgori.
Responding to the question, Deputy Minister Eng Mahundi revealed that the government, through UCSAF, has entered into an agreement with mobile phone service provider, Vodacom, for the construction of a tower in the Makuro ward to serve the villages of Ghalunyangu and Mwalala.
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She disclosed further that the UCSAF has signed an agreement with Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) to provide communication services at Ngimu, Msisi and Msange wards.
Eng Mahundi added that UCSAF has also entered into an agreement with Vodacom to extend communication services to the Ughandi ward, and Halotel to provide the services to Mudida ward.
“Honorable Speaker, upon completion of these projects, the government, through UCSAF, will assess the communication status in these wards and take appropriate action based on the availability of funds,” the deputy minister added.
Among the MPs who pressed the government to address communication services hitches in their constituencies were: Mwita Waitara (Tarime, CCM), Nicodemus Maganga (Mbogwe, CCM), Yahya Mhata (Nanyumbu, CCM) and Nashon Bidyanguze (Kigoma South, CCM).
May last year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan witnessed the signing of two contracts worth 275.5bn/- for the construction of 758 communication towers in 713 districts in Mainland Tanzania.
The contractors were tasked with upgrading the capacity of 304 towers which offered 2G internets to 3G, 4G, or more.
The deals involved the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) and telecom companies operating in Tanzania and are aimed at ensuring the availability of communication services in rural and urban underserved areas.
President Samia emphasized during the signing ceremony that the project’s implementation marks a significant stride towards embracing the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), a pivotal element in advancing the digital economy.
She highlighted that the successful completion of the initiatives will play a crucial role in boosting national income through the enhanced utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across various sectors.
“Increased access to networks in rural areas enables citizens to stay informed about their activities, address challenges, and enhance productivity. Our focus on involving youth in agriculture underscores the importance of leveraging mobile technology to drive productivity, as the youth are the primary users of these networks,” President Samia noted.
