Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Two new community access points open in St Mary

Published:Friday | August 7, 2020 | 12:52 PM
Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Fayval Williams (2nd left), and Transport and Mining Minister and Western St Mary Member of Parliament, Robert Montague, officially open the Three Hills Resource Centre Community Access Point in the parish on August 5, 2020. Looking on are Universal Service Fund Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Dawes (2nd right), and chairman of the centre, Kenrick Johnson - Contributed photo

Hundreds of residents in Oracabessa and Three Hills in Tower Isle, St Mary are now benefiting from internet and other related services, which are being provided at two community access points (CAP) that have been established in those areas.

The facilities, the Spicy Grove Youth Centre CAP in Oracabessa, and the Three Hills Resource Centre, were officially commissioned into service on Wednesday by Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Fayval Williams, and Transport and Mining Minister and Member of Parliament, Robert Montague.

Williams said the facilities’ opening is timely, as preparations for the start of the 2020/21 academic year in September have heightened, while noting that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the introduction of alternative teaching methods to the traditional classroom setting.

“Many teachers and schools are using online platforms for the delivery of content to their students. The internet, therefore, has become even more essential to our lives,” she said while speaking at the Spicy Grove Youth Centre CAP opening.

Williams, in urging the residents to make the best of the facilities, which were financed by the Universal Service Fund (USF) facilities, said online platforms are tools to maintain businesses and assist in educational pursuits.

These, she noted, “are fundamental to boosting the socio-economic possibilities and prospects for students and citizens, alike”.

Williams said the Government remains committed to providing communities with facilities to access the internet and other technologies to, among other things, “generate economic activity and business opportunities which will redound to the benefit of [the citizens]”.

She, however, urged individuals to use these with “responsibility and care”.

For his part, Montague said the facilities will be used for training of unattached young people, noting that space has been created for students to access the internet.

Meanwhile, the USF’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Dawes, disclosed that over 400 CAP centres have been established islandwide, with the number in St Mary increasing to six, following the opening of the two latest facilities.

This, he said, indicates that the agency is fulfilling its mission to reach unserved and underserved communities with technology.

- JIS News 

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