Plans for the realization of a digital superhighway and creative economy in Trans Nzoia County are on course.
This is evident following handover of the site for the construction of a modern digital center of excellence to the contractor at Cherangany Sub County headquarters.
Addressing the press before overseeing the handover exercise Friday, Konza Technopolis Chief Manager Construction, Operations Management Engineer Antony Sang said that construction of the digital center is among the steps the government is undertaking to fulfill creation of a Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy as envisaged in the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Eng. Sang said that once completed, the project will among other things help empower businesses and communities in various sectors like education, healthcare and agriculture through digital connectivity.
Meanwhile, he singled out cooperation from all stakeholders as an essential element which will help drive the project to completion.
He explained that the project will be done in phases and the first phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2024/2025 Financial Year at a cost of Sh 25 million, adding that 49 other similar digital centers will be done across the country
After constructing and equipping the digital centers of excellence, Eng. Sang said, next step will be installation of digital hubs across all the wards in the country.
To achieve this, Eng. Sang said the government will work closely with local leadership where Members of County Assemblies are expected to play a major role.
Director in charge of Planning in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Panuel Ondienga who was present also stressed on the need to involve all leaders in the implementation exercise for desired results to be achieved.
He said that besides creation of jobs and achievement of a digital economy, the digital center of excellence will among other things help realize tremendous achievements in the other four pillars of health, agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and enhance revenue collection via the automation of VAT systems.
“Completion of digital centers of excellence across the country will mark a great milestone in the achievement of a digital superhighway. Since the multi-million project is expected to transform each and every sector, we call upon the involvement of all leaders, sectors and government departments to get involved. The multi-agency approach is crucial for the success of the entire exercise,” he rallied.
The contactor Timothy Makumi promised to ensure quality work is delivered within the specified timelines to allow the public get value for the invested funds.
Echoing Eng. Sang’s words, Makumi said cooperation of all stakeholders and the public at large will be key to the implementation of the project as he promised to heavily rely on local manpower.
Representing Cherangany Deputy County Commissioner, Assistant County Commissioner Peter Alany confirmed total cooperation and devotion of government departments and local administration towards the success of the project.
By Isaiah Nayika
