The Abandoned ICT Centre
At a time when countries all over the world are investing heavily in Information Communication Technology (ICT), pupils of Dambai, the capital of Krachi East District of the Volta Region, have been left out of the ICT revolution as a facility built for the purpose has been left to rot.
The Dambai ICT centre, which was completed in 2014 to serve pupils of the area and adjoining communities, has been locked and abandoned allowing weeds, insects, snakes and reptiles of all kinds to take over the place. Pupils and other members of the community, who are supposed to make use of the facility, have looked on helplessly for the facility built with their taxes to fall apart.
A visit to the facility, which has become bushy as though it was constructed in an isolated forest, confirmed earlier reports by residents that the facility has never been put to use four years after its completion.
Background
The project was initiated by Raphael Ojumako, former District Chief Executive of the area, during the administration of the late Atta Mills. It was continued and completed in 2014 by his successor, Mr. Peter Awuranyi, who was hopeful that the facility would become beneficial to the students of Oti Senior High Technical, Asukwakwa Senior High School and other residents and businesses in the area.
Some residents who spoke to DAILY GUIDE described the facility as a white elephant and a complete waste of tax payers’ money.
They could not fathom why such huge investment to improve the lives of students and people of the area could be allowed to waste away to the extent that rats, snakes, and some other animals had turned it into their home and playground.
They therefore called on the district assembly to, as a matter of urgency, make the facility operational.
Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Patrick Charty Jilimah, who confirmed the status of the facility, described it as unfortunate. He said swift steps were being taken to make the facility ready for use.
“More so, there are plans to employ the services of IT personnel to manage the facility, undertake training for staff and also assist users in need of the facility,” he disclosed.
Mr. Jilimah therefore urged residents, business people, schools and all others interested in using the facility to make good use of it when it becomes operational. He also called for good maintenance culture to prolong the lifespan of the facility and its equipment.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)