From The Point


Government To Formulate Information Policy

Government To Formulate Information Policy As part of its drive to promote
and sustain information communication Technology in the country plans are
underway by government to put in place national communication and
information policy.

Such a policy when formulated would ensure fair and competitive practices in
the regulations and management of telecommunications services in the
country. Making this revelation on Monday 28th October, 2001, while
deputising for the Secretary of State for Works and Communication at the
opening ceremony of the Internet Week 2001 at the Kariaba Beach Hotel, Mr.
Yusupha Dibba, Permanent Secretary in the Department stated that government
has taken a interest in the development and expansion of Internet network
throughout the country adding it was for this reason that government removed
import tariff on computer and its related equipments.

Mr. Dibba maintained government was fully committed to the principle of
taking Internet service to the people so that The Gambia society could reap
the potential benefits of these new technologies nothing that to achieve
this requires a conducive environment where the operators would unfettered.

Also speaking, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Yankuba
Gassama stated that the development of Health information system has played
a vital role in effective management of health service delivery.

However, Dr.Gassama warned that in the quest to reap these benefits, we must
be seen as mere consumers. “We shall endeavour to create our own websites to
disseminate information created by us on developments taking place here.
This way, we will be participants in information society and not mere
consumers of people’s products.”

In his speech, the UN Resident Representative Mr. John Kakonge highlighted
the benefits of ICTs and Commended The Gambia Government for taken the bold
step in joining the information super highway and ensuring Internet
development and expansion. However posited out that there are still rooms
for improvement. Others speakers includes Mr. Bakary Njie Managing Director
Gamtel, Dr.James Mwanzia WHO Rep. and Mr. Muhammed Jah ISOC chairperson. The
week long event with the theme.” It for poverty Eradication: Focus on
Health” is organised by Internet Society Gambia chapter in collaboration
with UNDP, Gamtel and Quantum net.





_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>

To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]

<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>