The Secretary General (SG) of SANMA Provincial Government, Ruddley Albert has described the upcoming ICT Days event in Luganville, Santo, SANMA Province,
as timely, outlining digital projects that are already on the Provincial Government pineline, this year and beyond.
In a brief discussion in Luganville, with Mr John Jack, Chairman of the 2021 ICT Days Coordinating Committee, SG Ruddley explained the business plan that englobes the whole of SANMA Province – not to leave anyone behind.
He said the internet and mobile connection today now reach many more people in SANMA rural, a huge difference, in terms of costing in particular, compared to past years, where people had to travel far just for a single document/paper to have a photocopy of it.
“Internet/mobile connection today, has changed people’s lifestyle, from their oldest way of doing businesses – with this telecommunication connection, farmers in the rural areas, for example can easily market their local produces through online services,” he added.
He said as outlined by the national government policy to ensure government services are delivered and reached the door steps of the rural communities.
He said the current business plan now in place, is purposely to ensure all the services provided by SANMA Provincial Government reaches its rural people, including SANMA offshore islands as far as Malo, Tasmalum and Olboe in terms of ICT/internet usages.
SG Ruddley re-affirmed that their business plan goes in line with the national government policy under ‘Peoples National Plan 2030’ for quality education, an inclusive, equitable and quality education system with life-long learning for all; strengthen institutions to ensure they are cost-effective and well- resourced to deliver quality public services; strengthen physical planning and management to meet the service delivery needs, of a growing population; guarantee the public’s right to information; and to strengthen research, data and statistics for accountability and decision-making; improve access to appropriate technology; knowledge and skills in food production; preservation and storage; and to increase access to knowledge, expertise and technology to enact our blue-green growth strategies; and to ensure new infrastructure and development activities; cause minimal disturbance to the natural land and marine environment.
He further added “with the business plan, the current council of SANMA wishes to inform people of this province that the council has also plans that for the next 20 years or so, there will be construction of roads around Santo and to create commercial centers in some of the selected commercial areas of the province to improve and provide easy access of some main services through online services .” He informed that since last year, SANMA Province started to print birth certificate through ICT services and network – a change in the province. Chair John Jack thanked SG Ruddley for his vision and future plans for SANMA Province. He said he looks forward for the ICT Coordinating Committee to work close with the Province, for the inclusivity of SANMA in 2021 ICT Days in Luganville, Santo.