Nape: Installation of 54 communication towers to transform Lindi
LINDI: MINISTER for Information, Communication and Information Technology Mr Nape Nnauye has said that 54 towers are being installed in Lindi Region, to support various economic activities in the region, including oil and gas projects.
Minister Nnauye made the remark while briefing citizens about implementation of various activities carried out by the ministry during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s public meeting at Mitwero ground in Lindi Region on Tuesday.
“In the contracts of 758 towers to deliver the rural communication service that its signing was witnessed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dodoma region recently, Lindi Region has been allocated with 54 towers. More efforts will be put in this area, to ensure Lindi is not left behind in digital economy revolution.
“There are areas with high information technology demand, especially in gas extraction projects, hospitals, schools and mining areas. I have already instructed experts from next month to come and survey areas suitable to install the towers that will provide 5G service,” Minister Nape said.
He insisted that the country was on the right track to attain its target of increasing access to communication services throughout the country by 2025. The ruling party CCM Election Manifesto 2020-2025 directs the government to increase communication scope from 45 per cent in 2020 to 80 per cent in 2025.
The party document also has set a target of increasing internet users from 43 per cent in 2020 to 80 per cent come 2025, as well as improving communication services in general.
Earlier in May, the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF) and telecom companies signed contracts for expanding communication services in rural areas. Minister Nnauye said the contracts involve construction of 758 communication towers in 26 regions in Mainland, in which villages in 1,713 wards will benefit from the services.
“Upon completion of the projects which will be executed for 18 months, a total of 18 million Tanzanians will have access to communication services which are also expected to stimulate economic activities and development in the respective areas,” he said.
The minister noted that on the other hand the contracts intend to upgrade the capacity of 304 communication towers in various areas in the country especially in rural areas in all regions in Mainland Tanzania.
“The signing of these contracts including the upgrading of communication towers’ capacity is a crucial step in ensuring that communication services are being accessed throughout the country come 2025 as directed in the CCM election manifesto,” Nape said.
He said the government, through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), has managed to provide communication services to about 15 million Tanzanians living in rural areas which were implemented in collaboration with telecommunication companies.
“To date, the government, through UCSAF, has entered into agreement with communication service providers to avail communication services in rural areas in 1,258 wards with a total of 3,704 villages with 15,194,118 people in which 1,380 communication towers will be built,” Nape said.
