The Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, was present Friday at the social center of Chamarel for the launch of the first hotspot of the Free Wi-Fi Zone in this locality. The initiative comes from the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) which aims to democratize Internet access in the country. Transport Minister Alan Ganoo, Technology Minister Deepak Balgobin, MP Sandra Mayotte, ICTA Chairman Dick Ng Sui Wa and other prominent personalities were present for the occasion.
“This is a historic day for the people of Chamarel and the surrounding areas. From now on, they will have free access to the Internet thanks to the installation of this Wi-Fi terminal in the social center of the locality,” said the Head of Government in his speech. The latter was keen to highlight that this project is part of the government’s vision to continue the digital transformation of Mauritius while promoting an inclusive society where all individuals have the same opportunities to access and connect to the Internet.
Continuing his launch, the Head of Government informs that ICTA intends to install some 233 other access points in ten different regions of Mauritius, including Rodrigues. “With the 233 Wi-Fi hotspots that ICTA intends to install across the country and the 350 other Internet access points that the Mauritius Telecom Foundation has installed, there will now be about 600 places where the public can have free access to the Internet,” he said.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Pravind Jugnauth made an outburst against some of his critics who, he said, want to destabilize the country at all costs. “The IMF, the FAO, the World Trade Organization … all these international institutions recognize that the world is undergoing a double crisis because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. But here in Mauritius, we have to destabilize GM, we have to riot, we have to block traffic to prevent people from moving around. What happens if a person has to go to a clinic or a hospital,” he wonders.
“All the opposition thinks like this. They’re not good, they’re backwards. They’re pushing people from behind. To me, these are unpatriotic people. It’s the only way to get rid of them,” said the head of government. On the other hand, the PM reassures that the authorities will ensure that no person undermines the social peace in the country.
In addition, Pravind Jugnauth reiterated the commitment of his government to fight against drug trafficking in the country. He recalled the relentless fight against the scourge of drugs. The promulgation of a regulation on information technology and communication as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry on drug trafficking to monitor drug traffickers using satellite phones was also highlighted by the Prime Minister.
Asked for a reaction on the duel between MTCSL and People’s Turf Club PLC, the Prime Minister said he did not want to comment at the moment as there are two applications under consideration for the granting of a lease for the use of the Champ-de-Mars. Regarding the opposition’s criticism that the government is trying to kill horse racing, Pravind Jugnauth replied: “Okontrer, sa bannla ki ti pe rod touy lekours. Nou, nou pe fer le neseser …”
Minister Ganoo, for his part, said that Mauritius is the leading country in Africa in terms of technological advances. He mentioned several projects in the region, such as the construction of a bridge and new bus shelters, which aim to modernize the infrastructural landscape for the well-being of residents. The extension of the Metro Express to Phoenix was also highlighted by the Minister.
As for the president of the ICTA, Dick Ng Sui Wa, he listed a series of measures and projects of his organization whose aim is to revitalize the ICT sector in Mauritius. He also dwelt on the annual meeting of the Francophone network of telecommunications regulation that will be held soon in Mauritius.
