Good and honourable intentions, vigorously pursued to finality, are more likely to produce the desired outcomes. The less-than-honourable intentions, regardless of vigorously pursued, can sometimes produce disastrous outcomes. Always seek to embrace good and honourable intentions. It is the right thing to do, and it brings joy to the heart.
Last week’s revelation that the Fibre Optic Cable Project has been placed on hold and would need significant remedial work, came as a shock to many, considering the amount of expenditure incurred to date. Commenced in 2009, the programme is administered by the Office of the President under the heading Information Communication Technology (ICT). It has three main components: (a) installation of communication fibre optic network from Georgetown to Lethem; (b) installation and commissioning of wireless and terrestrial network system from Moleson Creek to Anna Regina; and (c) the One Laptop per Family Programme.
Financing of the programme
According to the 2014 Estimates of Expenditure, the total financing of the Government’s ICT programme is $13.827 billion, equivalent to US$69.133 million, as shown below:
The Estimates, however, give no indication of the cost for each of the three components. However, in July 2010, the former President announced that the Government would be providing 90,000 laptops to poor families over the next three years at an estimated cost of US$30 million. He also disclosed in December 2010 that the Government entered into a contract for