Bickersteth Computer Centre Opened

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell on Friday, April 24 officially opened the Bickersteth Computer Skills Training and Homework Centre in Southern St. James.

The centre has been established through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry, the Universal Access Fund and LIME Foundation at a cost of approximately $2.6 million.

The facility located at the Bickersteth Church of God of Prophesy, is equipped with some 12 computers and is being used to enhance the technological skills of members of the Bickersteth and adjoining communities.

Addressing participants in the official opening ceremony, Minister Paulwell commended the Pastor of the church, Pastor Rupert Brown and his team for their vision of uplifting the youths of the community.

“Over the past 10 years government through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, has been trying to equip Jamaicans so that we have people who are viable and can get jobs and take care of their families as well as building our country Jamaica,” Minister Paulwell pointed out.

He informed that the government through partnerships was at work establishing some 215 Community Access Points across Jamaica, in an effort to make computer technology more available to citizens.

“This is your government at work and I am so proud to tell you that there are 11 such Community Access Points in St. James, with nine more that are presently being developed and so there will shortly be 20 of these computer facilities in the parish … as we want our people to have full access to the computer,” Mr. Paulwell said.

He also informed that Cable and Wireless has written to him, informing that they have some 200 jobs that they are going to be moving to Jamaica soon, as they were pleased with the country’s advancement in computer technology.

Minister Paulwell, in observing that citizens today were living in the age of information and technology, noted that his Ministry was focused on equipping all citizens with the necessary technology.

He called on all the citizens of Bickersteth and surrounding areas to care for the facilities and to use them for the best interest and development of residents especially the youths.