ICT is key to investment

Mmegi Editor | Tuesday December 6, 2016 12:23

A drop in crop production is one of the issues that have always been predictable especially due to poor rainfall and extreme temperatures that this country experienced in the last two rainy seasons.

He has also touched on the economic forecast and others, especially the low global copper prices, and the recent increase in demand for diamonds, as well as closure of some mines.

However, our interest was provoked, by among others, his mention of Information and Communication Technology infrastructure and its use in the country.

He said the government has come up with a Postal Infrastructural Development Programme to upgrade existing and develop new post offices in all the major villages, towns and cities.

“The post offices will further accommodate the business, service and customer requirements of Botswana Couriers and Logistics and the Botswana Savings Bank”. It is our hope that the development of post offices, which are the main communication link, and financial service for people living in rural areas and their relatives in towns, will definitely ease and make life better for all. The world is changing fast and the Internet is the modern and instant form of communication of our times. People no longer have to wait for months for letters from their friends and relatives, and they communicate at the click of a button.

The government, through BOCRA should make sure that slow Internet is eradicated by end of this financial year, if we are to attract foreign investors and tourists. Global competition for the aforementioned, who are the main contributors to economic growth, is stiff and countries are working day and night to ensure that their Internet is fast and affordable.

We also have another task of upgrading our old structures to avail wireless Internet, as well as phone/computer charging sockets for convenience for all customers. We should not ignore the fact that many people store a lot of information in their electronic gadgets, which consume a lot of power and need recharging time and again. Many of our structures do not have that convenient layout of electricity distribution and we ought to revisit this situation as a matter of urgency.

Finally, as we enter the festive season, the local cellphone networks are likely to be jammed and it is time for BOCRA to observe this and caution the service providers to strive for highest quality of service.

Communication is critical in this information age and Botswana cannot afford to remain behind when the world is moving forward. 

Today’s thought 

“Nowadays, everybody assumes, when they wake up in the morning, if they have a question, it will get  answered. Because they have the internet. No matter what a question is, someone will answer their question.” 

– Jack White