By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Open Parly ZWOpen Parly ZWOpen Parly ZW
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Bills
  • Bill Tracker
  • Cabinet Briefs
  • Videos & LIVE Streams
  • Find your MP
  • Open Council
  • About
Reading: US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust
Share
Font ResizerAa
Open Parly ZWOpen Parly ZW
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Bills
  • Bill Tracker
  • Cabinet Briefs
  • Videos & LIVE Streams
  • Find your MP
  • Open Council
  • About
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Open Parly ZW > ICT > US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust
US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust
ICTMembers of ParliamentNewsParliament

US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust

Daniel Chigundu
Last updated: June 27, 2022 8:16 am
Daniel Chigundu Published June 27, 2022
Share
US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust
SHARE

US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust

Warren Park legislator Shakespear Hamauswa has urged the government to move with speed in operationalising the digitalisation program, adding that installed equipment is gathering dust around the country.

The government reportedly poured in more than US$50 million towards the digitalisation program, but the equipment is lying idle due to a lack of set-top boxes (STBs).

Viewers will require set-top boxes for their televisions if they are to access content from the digitalised equipment and systems.

Digitalisation will also help prevent frequencies from neighbouring countries from encroaching into Zimbabwean territory.

Currently, there are places in the country where people do not get signals from ZBC, but they get it from neighbouring countries.

Speaking during a debate on the progress of the digitalisation program, Honourable Hamauswa said there is a need for a plan to ensure access to set-top boxes by communities.

‘’I am going to start by highlighting that the Government of Zimbabwe, from 2015, sponsored this digital transmission.  The Government has used more than $50 million in terms of upgrading the system to go on the full digitalisation program.

‘’However, the equipment that was bought using the above $50 million funds, taxpayers’ money, is about to be obsolete because it is not being used. So, without coming up with a proper framework for making sure set-top boxes will reach the viewers, it will turn out that the Government did not use the funds appropriately.

‘’This is because $50 million that was used for upgrading the transmission sites is not being utilised. If you go to Kotwa, there are transmission sites that only require the set-top boxes for the people of Kotwa to enjoy the digitalised airwaves. However, the challenge is on set-top boxes,’’ he said.

According to Honourable Hamauswa, the funds that had been allocated for the procurement of set-top boxes was eroded by inflation, and the government need to commit more funds.

‘’As a Committee, it will also be important to note that the funds that were allocated for set-top boxes were eroded by inflation. Maybe there is a need to see how the targeted groups who were earmarked for the free set-top boxes are going to benefit because we will end up having reports that are not being implemented.

‘’The people in the rural areas are waiting to realise this digitalisation program becoming a reality to them but the challenge is on set-top boxes. Therefore, I reiterate what my colleagues have said that there is a need for a plan from the Government especially focusing on how much the Government had already given out in terms of supporting the digitalisation program.

‘’I will repeat that the Government has already used more than US$50 million and we cannot then fail as a Government to add US$3 million to make sure that the US$50 million that we have given out is actually being utilised.

‘’If Government fails to provide US$3 million, the US$50 million equipment will actually reach its expected lifespan without being utilised by the people of Zimbabwe.

‘’This is my plea Mr. Speaker Sir to say that this project must be regarded as a national project which requires the full attention of Cabinet, especially the Ministry of Finance to make sure that what they have given is actually going to make sense by making sure that US$50 million is now being enjoyed by the people of Zimbabwe who are the taxpayers in this country,’’ he said.

US$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dust

You Might Also Like

Parliamentary Report on ZISCO Steel Pensioners’ Petition

We want option to choose between LEADED and UNLEADED fuel

Parliament Resumes, But Impeachment Motion Still Absent

Cabinet approves principles of the Climate Change Management Bill

How To Petition Parliament In Zimbabwe

TAGGED:Set-top boxesShakespear HamauswaUS$50m digitalisation equipment gathering dustZBC
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
Trending News
Zimbabwe allows testing for both manual and automatic drivers licences
FeatureFeaturedMembers of ParliamentNewsParliament

Zimbabwe allows testing for both manual and automatic drivers licences

Daniel Chigundu Daniel Chigundu March 19, 2025
Blessed Geza Moves to Impeach Emmerson Mnangagwa
Geza Faces Setback in Impeachment Bid as Parliament Adjourns to May 6
Parliament Debates A Law that will force motorists to buy ZBC radio licences
Express lanes for exempted Govt officials and MPs at tollgates

Categories

  • ES Money
  • U.K News
  • The Escapist
  • Insider
  • Science
  • Technology
  • LifeStyle
  • Marketing

About US

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

OpenParlyZW is a project of Magamba Network established in 2015 that seeks to open the Parliament of Zimbabwe using digital tools and civic tech to promote and enable engagement between decision-makers & Citizens for a better society for young Zimbabweans

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Categories

  • ES Money
  • U.K News
  • The Escapist
  • Insider
  • Science
  • Technology
  • LifeStyle
  • Marketing

About US

We influence 20 million users and is the number one business and technology news network on the planet.

Subscribe US

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

OpenParlyZW is a project of Magamba Network established in 2015 that seeks to open the Parliament of Zimbabwe using digital tools and civic tech to promote and enable engagement between decision-makers & Citizens for a better society for young Zimbabweans

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
© 2024 Openparly. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?