Kibaki directs youth training on ICT
The Minister for Information Samuel Poghisio (left) and his Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo (right) holds a buoy as President Kibaki (second right) looks on while Prime Minister Raila Odinga (second left) signs it to mark the arrival of the fibre optic undersea cable in Mombasa at the Fort Jesus sea front. The cable will enable faster global connectivity Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
What you need to know:
President launches fibre optic undersea cable for faster connectivity with the rest of the world.
Ministry of Information should start such programmes, says President Kibaki.
The project is an innovative public-private partnership between the government and corporate stakeholders.
Kenya youth should be trained on Information and Communication Technology after the launch of the fibre optic cable, President Kibaki has said.
And he has directed the Ministry of Information to start such programmes.
"I am directing the Ministry of Information and Communication to come up with programmes for the training and development of youth nationwide, to catch the first generation of truly digital Kenyans," he said during the launch of The East African Marine Systems (TEAMS) project in Mombasa.
"Similarly, I direct all the Ministries to speedily adopt ICT in their strategic plans in order to realise the full benefits of technology, for the good of our country."
The President said that the landing of the cable was of "historic proportions" since the "economies of today are largely driven by internet and other ICT connections."
He added that the Eastern Africa coast was the longest coastline in the world without a fibre-optic cable connection to the rest of the world.
The project is an innovative public-private partnership between the government and corporate stakeholders.
President Kibaki said the project, which will see faster global connectivity will stimulate economic growth.
"The project has connected our country with the rest of the world and harnessed the power of Information Communication Technologies. This is a great enabler for growth, and development of our country," said President Kibaki.
He mentioned the benefits that the project will bring to Kenya, among others being bridging the digital divide and delivering quality service in the ICT sector.
"I am confident that the people of our region, especially the youth, will be the first to rush to savour the joys and high resolution qualities of the fastest Internet connections that will be offered by the undersea cable project."
He said that the next step would be the full completion of the construction of land-based infrastructure, which will make ICT the main pillar of Vision 2030, Kenya economic blueprint.
"The opportunities that are about to be opened up by the TEAMS project are tremendous. Readily accessible bandwidth will not only lower telecommunications costs but also provide new opportunities practically in all sectors," he said.
He said that the government will move with speed to see the business process outsourcing take hold in Kenya.
"Under business process outsourcing, engineering and scientific research, computer programming, accounting and telemarketing, the new global enterprise, can be based anywhere in the world. This is what a knowledge-based society is about. And it is possible because ICT enables you to deliver services and products anywhere in the world."
He said with the launch, Kenya was now equipped with one of the most advanced and cost effective, nation-building tools.
