HARARE - Minister of Information and Communication, Nelson ChamisaChamisa, who President Robert Mugabe, admitted was “his youngest brain box” last year, has repeatedly scolded government, telling it that the only way forward was the “E-Government Way” using the popular cyber space highway.
Trenches are now being dug all over Harare by telecommunication firms to try and impress the minister. However, a top level document in our possession, shows that the broke government needs a grand total of US$82,5 million to complete the ambitious project.
The government needs US$9 920 000 to install an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), for Commissioner Augustine Chihuri’s Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The document shows that government needs US$32,4 million for the Ministry of Home Affairs Command and Control System (HACCSY), and US$780 000 for the computerisation of border post immigration. The government also needs US$10 million to upgrade the national systems for departments including that dealing with “pensions” and the rather secretive Salary Services Bureau (SSB).
Chamisa has regularly blasted government for not having its own website, pointing out that it is impossible for the nation to market itself without this device. The document reveals that government needs US$16,7 million for the computerisation of Gershom Pasi’s Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) in order for them to continue being “there to serve you”, as said by their boss. Pasi recently scooped the Director of The Year Award organised by the Institute of Directors (IOD), a very influential business gathering.
Post published in: Economy