Rockfort Gets Internet Café

Residents of Rockfort in Kingston now have easier access to Internet and other computer-related services with the establishment of a community access point (CAP) in the community by the Universal Service Fund (USF) at a cost of $2.6 million.

The Rockfort Internet Café, located at Glasspole Avenue, is equipped with 13 desktop computers, two printers, one server unit with supporting network capability, a projector and screen, as well as desks and chairs.

The 258th CAP site to be established, it is a homework and research centre for residents, serving several districts, including Pleasant Heights, Johnson Town, Rennock Lodge, Shanty and Norman Gardens, and Springfield.

Solar panels are to be installed at the location at a cost of $3.5 million, in keeping with the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology’s thrust for all CAP sites to be equipped with solar solutions in order to cut down on operating costs.

At the commissioning ceremony on Friday (November 24), Director of Projects at the USF, Everold Simms, noted that the café will “serve as a gateway to self-improvement”, and encouraged the residents to take care of the facility.

“This centre belongs to you. You are the custodians, and I expect that you will protect and care it,” he said.

Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal, Phillip Paulwell, welcomed the opening of the centre and commended the work of the USF in providing access to technology for all persons.

“The fund has been used to create centres like this. This is a world-class facility… and we want to make sure that the little boy in basic school right up to the senior has access to this facility,” he said.

The opening of the centre was endorsed by representatives from several entities, including the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Community Empowerment and Transformation (COMET II) Project; Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP); and the Social Development Commission (SDC).