The Universal Service Fund (USF) on March 16, 2022, handed over 20 laptop computers to the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) valued at $2.1 million.

The laptops will be used by the JFB Training Division to facilitate regional coverage of their recruitment drive, boost in-service training, and formulate reports.

Minister of Science Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz commended the USF for responding to the request made by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, “As first responders and frontline workers, the dedicated men and women of the JFB perform under extreme circumstances to protect life and property from fire and other disasters, in which technology plays a crucial role.  The data shows that the demand for the services of the Brigade has increased in recent times, which makes constant training for personnel, quality equipment, and resources integral to the response of this entity.” 

Human Resource and Administration Manager at the USF, Miss Shanique Cornwall informed the audience that another contribution will be made to the Falmouth Fire Brigade later this month, “The USF will hand over three (3) desktop computers, two (2) laptop computers, one (1) projector, one (1) projector screen, and one (1) multipurpose printer,”

 This is the third contribution that the USF will be making to the JFB. In 2019 the York Park Fire Station received one (1) desktop computer and one (1) laptop which is being used by the Vehicle Maintenance and Transport and Fleet Management Sections of the Brigade to conduct vehicle diagnostic assessments, training, and administrative functions.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mrs. Marsha Henry-Martin who was present at the event lauded the collaborative effort with the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology stating that, “any assistance to enhance the fire fighting capacity and disaster mitigation efforts through technology intervention is more than welcomed.”

Deputy Chairman of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Dr. Keith Amiel in accepting the devices says the donation couldn’t have come at a better time as the JFB looks to expand its recruitment processes.

USF is an Agency under the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology mandated to ensure access to information and communication technology tools to facilitate development.

The constituency of St Andrew East Rural benefited Monday from a second installation of a state-sponsored community Wi-Fi hotspot for 2022.

On January 31, residents in Woodford, Freetown district, were given Internet access with the installation of the first Wi-Fi hotspot.

Top Maryland community centre was the second to benefit under the “community connect” programme, made possible by the Government’s continuous collaboration with the Universal Service Fund (USF), an agency of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, to establish up to three community hotspots in each constituency.

Speaking at the launch, Sergeant O’Gilvie, head of the Irish Town Police Station, welcomed the $7-million facility.

“The history and foundation we lay today will determine the kind of future that our children and the next generation will live in,” he said of the usefulness of the Internet that will allow for persons to educate themselves and being productive.

It is for this reason that he has warned anyone who wishes to steal the equipment not to do so, noting that the Wi-Fi structure was recently stolen in another St Andrew community.

“I am saying to you now, and I am not mincing my words, anybody has that in mind, to steal or destroy this one, think again,” he said.

He expressed confidence, however, that the residents of Top Maryland would protect it with their lives and would not allow anyone to damage it and rob the neighbourhood of much-needed Internet connection.

Cherol Willis, assistant pastor of Love and Faith Ministries, told The Gleaner that she was overjoyed by the installation, describing it as “a great thing that has happened in the district”.

“It was really needed,” she said, as there had been earlier Internet access at the church, which is located immediately next to the recently established Wi-Fi tower built by USF. However, the previous connection was unreliable and would go down for days at a time.

“But having it here now that everybody can use it, I think it is a great thing,” she added.

In her remarks, Latona Stewart, USF’s legal officer and corporate secretary, stated that the agency is pleased to be following through on its pledge to ensure the roll-out of community Wi-Fi connections, connecting one community at a time.

She said that the USF spent $1 billion on projects last fiscal year and expects to spend more than $2.4 billion this financial year, not only on capital expenditure but also on recurrent costs associated with various initiatives. This includes funding support offered to the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica for the establishment of a second educational channel, the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tertiary research grant programme to The University of the West Indies (The UWI), and funding of other e-learning initiatives totalling $700 million. Educational aspects of the USF’s budget represent approximately $900 million.

Stewart also praised USF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dawes for his tenacity in getting the job done.

St Andrew East Rural Member of Parliament Juliet Holness, in her address, also commended Dawes, stating that he has always made himself available to be present at every community location where Wi-Fi will be deployed and has a track record of getting things done.

“When we selected the sites, the CEO himself, Mr Dawes, came up with the team to every single site. He walked and [help] run the measuring tape … he was there for every single one of them,” she said.

Holness also advised parents and other adults to educate themselves using the Internet, saying that “education is what removes all the barriers”, and presents the poor with opportunities to become successful and wealthy people.

By the end of the 2021/22 fiscal year, the USF is expected to have established 189 community Wi-Fi connections throughout the 63 constituencies across Jamaica.

Source: The Gleaner

The number of public Wi-Fi hotspots are set to increase by seven additional sites.

Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz says these sites are at varying stages of implementation.

The minister says they are on track to meet this target and Jamaica will have a total of 20 public Wi-Fi sites across the country by March 31, 2022. 

He was speaking in the House of Representatives on February 1.

The minister also informed that some seven new Community Access Points across the island have been completed.

These are Garlogie Primary & Junior High in Clarendon; Tivoli Gardens in Kingston; Brixton Hill Primary School, Clarendon and Red Ridge Resource Centre in St. Elizabeth.

Access Points are also at the Sir Howard Cooke Thursday Group Character Development Centre in Nannyville, St. Andrew; Albion Primary School, St. James and Cheapside Basic School and Community Centre in St. Elizabeth.

The Portmore Self-Help Disability Organisation has received computers valued at $3.5 million from the Universal Service Fund (USF), which will be used to expand their empowerment and training programmes.

Director at the St. Catherine organisation, Cleon Porter said the donation is timely, as the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a scaling down of the training opportunities offered at the institution.

He informed that unemployment is high among persons with disabilities, adding that the computers will be used to facilitate skills training, especially the in the areas of online marketing and blogging.

We are extremely grateful for the partnership. This project is being used as a means of addressing this plight…the possibilities are endless, he said.

He was speaking at a ceremony held recently at the Watson Grove resource centre, in Portmore.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Member of Parliament for East Central St. Catherine, Hon. Alando Terrelonge said the organisation is serving over three hundred persons in Portmore.

We respect persons with disabilities, and they must never be discriminated against. Persons living with disabilities must be accorded the same rights and privileges as all Jamaicans, because we are all human beings,” Mr. Terrelonge stated.

Meanwhile, Director of Public Procurement at the USF, Mellissa Taylor said the funds spent in the lives of persons living with disabilities is well deserved, when you look at the long-term benefits that can be derived from this investment.

Source: JIS