Netone Commissions Chanakira Base Station

By Faith Chimutsa

Minister of information communication technology ,postal and courier service Dr Jenfan Muswere has called upon people around Wedza to welcome the enhanced network provision to facilitate and promote expansion growth projects in Mashonaland East Province .

The launch of Chanakira Base Station in Wedza on Wednesday brings excitement to the market as it fulfils one of the key strategic goals for netone . The drive towards a digital economy has yielded positive results for the organisation , Access to information and communication technologies ( ICTs) has become a key development indicator.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Base Station in Chanakira Wedza on Wednesday Minister of Information Communication Technology and Courier Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said NetOne has recently launched Phase Three of the National Mobile Broad Band Expansion (NMBB3) which will see 345 new base stations being built and installed to connect communities.

Chanakira base station is of strategic importance as it dovetails with the mandate of the Ministry of ICT Postal and Courier services ,to connect the unconnecte and improve access to ICTs added Dr Muswere.

“Information Communication Technology (ICT) is at the heart of the second Republic of Zimbabwe’s vision 2030″, an National Development Strategy Goal Number 1 as an enabler for development ,communication and business investiment”,said Muswere.

“ICTs access and utilization is poised to have a more profound impact on education and health care services, the management of energy resources, delivery of public transport, the manner in which government engages with the citizenry and above all, the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

“As the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services, our mandate is to create an enabling environment and policies that facilitate the use of information technologies and communication solutions, to improve the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans, regardless of location.

Minister Muswere called on the Chanakira community to embrace the enhanced network coverage which will facilitate and promote farmers through knowledge transfer and acquisition as they engage in the trade of farm produce.

He highlighted that the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services is here to ensure equitable access to ICTs by all citizens of Zimbabwe, including disadvantaged groups and rural communities.

“Netone commits to support community development activities by providing reliable ICT platforms for mobile financial service needs . Netone is offering an opportunity for Chanakira and the national at large leapfrog into the global village . Access to information and effective participation in the digital economy is critical for improving the quality of life for all citizens”, Dr A Munzverengwi added.

The Use of ICTs at community level benefits to A1 and A2 farmers and the entire community . Improved network coverage will enable farmers in Ward 9 to communicate with suppliers of farm inputs ,Agritex extension workers and other agriculture support service as well as access to online markets .

He said the Chanakira Base Station will bring with it many downstream benefits which we, as a province, will capitalise on as we develop.

“Improved network coverage will enable Chanakira irrigation scheme farmers in Ward nine to communicate with Agritex extension workers, while using online tools to find markets for farm produce such potatoes, beans, soya beans, wheat and maize” he said.

Mushanawani added that the Base Station is important and strategic towards improving connectivity and communication for many in Mashonaland East .

“It is without doubt that indeed information communication technology is the backbone of the new normal.

“The nation and the world at large witnessed the critical role that information communication technology played when COVID-19 threatened to business to a halt.

Educational sector,health sector and the agriculture sector continued to provide services through e-learning ,e-health and e-farming respectively .

The deployment of the 3G/4G network at Chanakira has proved that ICT technologies can improve user exprience . Netone will continue to evolve and innovate based on customer and industry exprience to build a robust digital network and ICTs offers opportunity for netone to reconnect and rebuild communities into the future.