Safeguarding internet connectivity equipment crucial for digitizing MDAs–PPPC

The Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) through the Digital Malawi Project (DIGMAP) has urged all Government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and all other stakeholders to safeguard internet connectivity equipment that is being installed in over 500 public institutions under the PPP Connectivity initiative.

DIGMAP Project Liaison Officer Ann Liabunya made the call during the sensitization meeting held in Neno District where the Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Digitalization’s Department of E-Government briefed MDAs on the connectivity initiative.

She said: “The PPP Connectivity initiative is a Government of Malawi project being implemented in over 500 public institutions. In this regard, you are the project’s beneficiaries and custodians.

“It is the wish of the Government that you should be proactive in safeguarding all the internet connectivity equipment such as high optic fiber cables, routers, poles, cabinets, and access points from theft and vandalism”.

Liabunya then urged all the Government MDAs, and all other stakeholders of the initiative to consolidate their efforts in fast-tracking the Government’s digitalization drive agenda for the effective delivery of public services in line with the Malawi 2063 implementation Plan 1 (MIP1).

Speaking earlier, E-Government Department Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Officer Chisomo Kamata said the Government is improving public service delivery, and Communication among public institutions through the PPP Connectivity Initiative.

He then highlighted that “the connectivity is segmented into three networks: BOMA for all civil servants, NZIKA for all users, and GUEST for all visitors”.

Kamata added: “To access the BOMA network, all civil servants must use their employment identification number or official Government email addresses together with their secure passwords”.

“On the other hand, all NZIKA and GUEST users will be issued one-time passwords to access the networks as well as to access the Government domain for online services”.

In his closing remarks, Neno District Commission Director of Planning and Development Charles Lomoni hailed the Malawi Government for initiating the PPP Connectivity Initiative in MDAs. 

“We are very grateful to the Government for considering Neno. This is the Digital Malawi we are looking for unlike the Malawi we used to know where we were complaining about internet setbacks”, said Lomoni.  

He then urged the Government to extend the initiative to other Government offices to improve internet connectivity.

The PPPC in collaboration with the E-Government Department is implementing the PPP Connectivity initiative under DIGMAP for the next 10 years in partnership with funding from the World Bank.