he Tillman Thomas Administration is keeping its promise to make access to technology and the internet available to as many Grenadians as possible. This was evident on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Tillman Thomas launched the first in a series of Community Access Points (CAPS) in Mt. Craven, St. Patrick.
“This activity highlights the fulfillment of our promise to bring broadband services to the Grenadian people where ever they live. Technology must be used to bridge the rural-urban divide and to bring the benefits of information and communication into the living rooms of our people from Point Saline to Petite Martinique,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the project is also in keeping with his government’s pledge to decentralize services, including education, health and other sectors that can directly benefit communities by reducing time and expenses. This is the first of 10 projects aimed at bridging the divide between those who have access and those who do not have access to broadband services, in various parts of the country.
In addition to making computers, a printer and space available for internet access in each conveniently located community resource center that is being utilized, the CAPs also allow residents in the areas close to each center to have remote internet access using their laptops.
The project to implement the 10 CAPs was awarded to FLOW by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in July of 2011.
The opening ceremony was attended by Permanent Secretaries Sandra Thomas, Sybil Alexander and Allison Miller, as well as FLOW's country manager, Gail Purcell and other senior company officials. Mr Leslie Nicholas, President of the Management Committee of the Mt Craven Human Resource Development Center delivered the vote of thanks.
The CAPs project is being implemented at a cost in excess of US$200,000..