DODOMA: The Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, has tabled his docket’s 180.9bn/- spending plan for the 2024/25 financial year, which emphasizes the construction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory and the utilization of robotics.
Tabling the budget for approval by lawmakers at the National Assembly in Dodoma on Thursday, Mr. Nape stated that from the requested amount, a total of 38.9bn/- is allocated for recurrent expenditures, with 28bn/- designated for salaries and the remaining 13bn/- for other expenses.
Additionally, he mentioned that a total of 142bn/- is earmarked for development projects, with 116bn/- coming from local funds and 28bn/- from external sources.
Outlining the key priority areas aimed to be implemented by the Ministry in the year 2024/25, he highlighted the connection of the National ICT broadband backbone with security and defense agencies, the construction of data storage centers in Dodoma and Zanzibar, and the connection of the National ICT broadband backbone to the neighboring country of Congo.
He also mentioned other priorities such as providing communication services to 70 strategic areas, connecting the National ICT broadband backbone to 40 districts, and revising the Internet security law of 2012 to align with present-day standards, ensuring it includes provisions for protecting children from online violence as well as online terrorism.
However, the minister stated that in the next 2024/25 FY, the Ministry plans to collect a total of 1.7 billion shillings from the sales of services related to the National ICT broadband backbone, newspaper subscriptions, annual fees of newspapers, journalists’ identity cards, and other means.
