Despite internet connectivity viewed as a vast potential for inclusive growth and development and aside its role in boosting productivity and economic growth as it help connect remote populations to markets, promote citizens’ access to social services, it has emerged that some parts of the country do not have access to the internet.
Having access to the internet means access to greater information, communication and social networks, and resources that improve education, health, and career prospects. These work to improve individual living standards and contribute positively towards the overall economy through increases in talent, productivity, and GDP.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) Luapula Province Minister Njanvwa Simutowe revealed that the District has been in total black out, when it comes to internet services and this has affected the people’s accessibility of Government and private services.
Lunga District came to light in 2012 when it was declared as one, generally the place comprises of archipelago islands which are part of the Bangweulu wetlands, with a population of about 24 thousand inhabitants.
“Lunga District is struggling with internet, and as a matter of addition I was running through a report by the Ministry of Community Development and I discovered that the people in the District had a challenge in accessing Social Cash Transfer due to network challenges, because the district is on island and in mitigating the issue two weeks ago we went on the ground with the Ministry of Science and Technology and they intervened through plans to elect a network tower,” he said.
However Simutowe said the efforts of improving the livelihoods of the people the authority have been derailed because the waters have subsided before the tower is elected.
