Development of Guyana digital infrastructure key in LCDS 2030 draft
The Government in its draft Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) for the next decade places special emphasis on modernization of the digital infrastructure in Guyana through the advancement of information Communication Technology (ICT). This will be done through one of the four main objectives of the development strategy – ‘Stimulate future growth: clean energy and low-carbon development.’
This week, the consultation on the draft document was taken to Kwakwani, Region Ten, to ensure that input is gathered from Guyanese who will be the main beneficiaries.
The draft document proposes the advancement of the country’s Digital Infrastructure through the Expansion of the satellite network, the expansion of 4GLITE, and the expansion of the fibre-optic network.
A part of building the Digital Infrastructure will be a national online portal to serve as a getaway-access to digital Government services, digitization of population, commercial and land registers, as well as electronic identification for all citizens. Special provision has also been placed in the draft for the expansion of data centres to support the services provided by the government agencies.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill told residents of Region Ten that: “When we talk about LCDS we are speaking about a development framework, a development trajectory. In whatever we do, it will not contribute to pollution or cause adverse effects from pollution to the population. We will ensure that there is sustainable, monitoring of our forest.”
“This framework will provide a pathway through which Guyana can earn money that led to economic development. Whiles at the same time carrying a flag for maintaining a low carbon footprint,” he added.
Over the course of the LCDS program starting from 2009 to 2015, Guyana earned US$ 212.52 million through a partnership signed with the Norwegian Government for Forest Services. The Money from the project was used to initiate projects in Guyana.
The project is being extended to 2030 and is currently focused on harnessing Guyana’s unique advantages to create a new low-carbon economy through four objectives: to create new incentives for a low-carbon economy, protect against climate change and biodiversity loss, stimulate future growth: clean energy and low-carbon development, and align with global climate and biodiversity goals.
