Story by Regis Mhako
TELECOMMUNICATIONS services blues are set to be a thing of the past in Makonde constituency after a commitment by government and service providers to establish several base stations in the area.
The development follows several lobbying efforts by Makonde legislator, Honourable Kindness Paradza and other members of the constituency.
Hon Paradza said, ‘‘We are not that far from Chinhoyi, but it seems we are in a very marginalised area because we lack telecommunication services. Now I have brought experts and representatives from all the mobile telecommunication service providers as well as from TelOne for them to explain the plan they have in place.’’
Mobile telecommunication service providers and officials from the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services revealed that equipment for base stations has been procured, with the setting up of the infrastructure set to be complete by the end of March.
NetOne General Manager Mr. Learnmore Musunda noted, ‘‘NetOne has acquired equipment from China and it’s on its way. We were affected by COVID-9, otherwise, the challenge you are facing could have long been addressed.’’
Deputy Director of Systems Administration in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Mr. Denis Kapaso said, ‘‘As a ministry, we work with the telecommunication service providers and it is our wish to see them competing so that people are spoilt for choice.’’
POTRAZ engineer Mr. Oswell Matsika noted, ‘‘We have a universal fund which we are going to tap from so that grey areas in Makonde will be fully covered.’’
Government is on a drive to ensure no one and no place is left behind in terms of development in line with vision 2030.
