Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology, Kelver Darroux is of the view that a newly opened “Smart Centre” in Grand Fond will allow the people of that community to take full advantage of Information Technology.
The centre was officially opened in the community on Wednesday.
“It has been said by persons living outside that capital city of Roseau, that all government services are centralized in town,” he said. “However; in an age of advanced technology it is now possible to provide access to all such services, whether governmental or private using communication tools at this Smart Rural Centre.”
According to Darroux, it is for this reason that the Smart Centre was envisioned as a multi-purpose telecommunication and ITC Centre equipped with modern communication equipment and services together with ICT tools based for use in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology at the State College, specifically targeting persons in rural communities.
He stated that some of the equipment at the Centre include video conferencing equipment, IP Phones, advanced two-in-one computers, overhead projectors, digital white boards and printers to name a few.
Darroux went on to say that in the near future, “there are plans for 3D printers, digital touch screens, cloud servers, and electronic sensors for weather monitoring and soil sensors…” for the centre.
“This centre is a work in progress,” he noted.
Meantime, Education Minister Petter Saint Jean that because of the Smart Centre, the people of Grand Fond will no longer have to endure long lines to Roseau to access computers and technology.
“The opportunities are now right here within your community,” he said. “Opportunities that include the extension of education services, for example we recently commissioned the Smart Centre at the Dominica State College, the young people of Grand Fond, Morne Jaune, Riviere Cyrique can now sit comfortably at the Smart Centre and access classes at the Dominica State College.”
Saint Jean stated that those who aspire to do degree programs now have access to online classes, given the fact the University of the West Indies (UWI) now offers online classes, “so you do not have to travel to Roseau late hours and wondering how do you get back during night fall.”
“The Dominica State College is now just a click away from you the residents of Grand Fond,” he added.
Greetings Sylvester – All what you are saying is right and will only work if the project build out answer to the following question is YES. Was the development of this facility conceive with the support and active engagement (proper stakeholder consultation) of the community? If the answer is NO then the use and potential benefits of the facility will not be optimized.
So many good opportunities can come from this. Thanks to the government for this, hope to see somre more erected in the rural areas.
Thank you PM and crew. This surely came at a good time.
Ahead of our time is good. The village is not made up of fools. Older folks can be taught basic computer skills, the younger ones adapt easily and the high schoolers and college students are well read. This will save people time and hassle to get assignments and projects ready, it will help the community become technologically inclined and it will add value to their society. Time to stop with the dismissal of growth and development because we think that “we are not ready”. This is what is holding our people back.
Well done Minister Darroux. To the people who are asking who will use these..There are primary, secondary and tertiary level students in the community. This is basically a resource center, so it will be utilized by students as well as adults for educational purposes, research and basic technological empowerment. This will save the residents of Grand Fond lots of money. Kudos.
Mr Cadette can You explain what you meant by nucleus of a Geographic area? And if my basic understanding of that term then I cannot see how Good hope is the nucleus of it’s Geographic area. Additionally, the smart center is a wonderful concept, is there a comprehensive plan for such center all over the country? if there is was Grand fond more in need of such more than Portsmouth, Marigot, Laplaine, Castle bruce e.t.c ? Theses areas should have been considered first due to the fact that they may bring more value to their respective Geographical area.
As to whether there is a comprehensive plan, I am now with UN/ITU and no longer Director of Telecoms in Dominica. However, back in 2003 (the files will show) we started to advocate what was then called the Multi-Purpose Community telecentres. In fact the first one was in Grand Bay and 2nd was in St. Joseph. Hon. Darroux playing a role then
There was a plan to have these in all major communities. These would be networked with a centre of Excellence. So Then we negotiated the Centre of Excellence with India in 2007-2008 with the signing of the MoU. Again Hon. Darroux played a role as Parl Sec. So since 2002-2003 we were advocating for these types of facilities. One would recall that our Telecoms Sector was getting more advanced than our sister countries and we wanted to lay the infrastructure and facilities.
Sadly not too much funding was put behind ICTs. I hope more this time. Back then the Indians had indicated they would be interested in assisting with the ICT Park for Call centres (like Clear Harbour) and light manufacturing. Land was designated in Portsmouth. The designs and cost estimates were financed by AID BANK. If this was implemented our youth could find significant meaningful employment. It can still be done.
You mentioned other communities but the Gov’t has done well to address underserved areas first.
I’m trying to understand how the people of Grand Fond are going to take advantage of this Smart Center.
A small rural community, agricultural base and hardly any businesses except the rum shops.
Are we some years ahead of our time with this one?
I’m totally confused.
I hope we are not trying to build a Rolls Royce in a bicycle environment.
It would have been good to hear from the villagers how they intend to take advantage of what appears to be a good idea but way above their head.
Make. Sure, we treat it like our lifeet depends on it. Cctv, Burglar Bars, and live security should be given utmost, attention, to protect, expert, monitoring.
They could have a smart centre for free if they were smart and vote for Dr. Fontaine.
Great News and music to my ears. CONGRATS Hon. Darroux and Ministry for opening this centre. Congrats to the people of the Grand Fond Community. This is what we were encouraging – the setting up of Multi-purpose Community Telecentres as we called them back in 2003. I urge the community to cherish it and build on it.
to the Community leaders, urge the People in the Diaspora from your Community to adopt at least one initiative in your community such as this one. If 100 people from your community in the diaspora can pledge US$ 20-40 a year (those who can) then every 2-3 years when you need to maintain or replace equipment you will have at least US 4,000.00 to 8,000) for such.
For Independence Day and leading up to Reunion 2018 (40th Anniversary of Independence”) Ministry of Community Development and Ministry responsible for Disaspora Affairs in collaboration with Communities could launch the “Diaspora & Local Community Investment Scheme”. Just a thought to maintain this…
Now this needs to be buttressed by networking these centres to the Centre of Excellence and provide the means for access to subject area curriculum that will assist in access to tertiary education.
For this to happen we need to further develop the ICT Policy and Sectoral Strategy and develop the Broadband Strategy. The ITU where I am presently had assisted Dominica in the development of the Broadband Strategy in 2015. We now need to ensure it is rolled out and implemented. We have one of the better defined telecommunications sector and infrastructure in the region. Let us capitalize on it as indeed this project undertaking in Grand Fond and surrounding communities have exemplified.
I can’t believe in 2017 you are still endorsing this 1980 solution. Dominicans are currently connected to the internet on mobile phones.Why are we are still discussing ecommerce when the future is clearly Mcommerce and the internet of everything.
Money was spent to digitalize the birth registry and we still ask passport applicant to provide a printed birth certificate. Government needs to deliver digital services plus a mobile payment system so people can pay for said services without having to waste time going to Roseau.
“We are going. Heaven knows where we are going. But we know we are. And we’ll get there. Heaven knows how we will get there. But we know we will.”
Greetings Sylvester – All what you are saying is right and will only work if the project build out answer to the following question is YES. Was the development of this facility conceive with the support and active engagement (proper stakeholder consultation) of the community? If the answer is NO then the use and potential benefits of the facility will not be optimized.
Every community should have one of these centres. We live in a technological age, we are apart of a global community with this in mind there is no room for regression. The only way for the people of Dominica to be on an equal footing is to ensure that no one is left behind.
Your comment is SO correct and well placed but it may not be economically feasible to have one in each community at this time. But it is so essential to our progress. What could be done is to identify a community that forms the nucleus of a Geographic area (eg. Salybia and/or Bataka-Atkinson for the Kalinago Territory, or Good hope to cover that area, or Paix Bouche to cover More Park) and deploy in the nucleus community and it will serve the hinter communities until such time that expansion is feasible.
I note that individuals gave you thumbs down for your comments. It seem they either did not understand your comment or interpreted it in a particular way. I interpreted the wholesomeness of the comment. Keep commenting wholesomely. Thanks
Your statement is so incorrect and comes from a place of ignorance. Having a smart centre in every community is bad planning and a waste of money. If they have it in special locations that can cater for 3-4 communities then that is what you call good planning, something that you did not think of when you made this statement.
Each centre requires, power,PCS,remote connections with high upload and download speeds,setup,cabling,networking,and management cost; all of which will increase its cost for one site not to mention in EVERY COMMUNITY!
Dominicans and people in general need to do research,ask and get a better understanding of a situation before giving their “know it all” view; this makes you look less like an idiot.
However, it triggered me to respond to you, which makes me an idiot as well. Well played.
Bro or Sis
you can disagree with “Toya’s” comment without insulting them about who is or isn’t ignorant. You are right that it is not economically feasible but would it not be better to enlighten the person with a smile rather than this attitude of calling unsavory names. Not how I commented on the same matter.
Typically I would not write a reply to your comment simply because I am not holier than you but I try and I KNOW THAT YOU CAN SURELY DO BETTER THAN THAT!!