More Access to Computers in St. Mary

A Community Access Programme was officially launched at the Golden Eye Resort in Oracabessa, St. Mary on February 26, making computer service more readily available to the people of the parish.
Under the programme, residents of some 30 communities will be able to access affordable computer service.
The computers, which have been donated by Microsoft, will be placed at strategic locations in those communities in the custody of community organizations, such as church groups, youth groups and citizens associations.
In addition to the general service, there will be a website for the St. Mary Parish Council, which will give information on the various services provided by that entity, in addition to enabling it to establish swift contact with communities and persons when necessary.
The Council will be partnering with Digicel Jamaica Limited to provide the service, which will also include a short messaging service, the daily weather report and a catalogue of the telephone numbers of various citizens and organizations in the parish.
Giving the main address at the launch, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government matters, Robert Montague, described the programme as one which has the potential to place St. Mary on the cutting edge of development. He said the operation would also enable the parish to become a leader in the world of business communication.
The State Minister pointed out that the programme would not only allow the people of the parish to communicate more effectively with each other and with persons in other areas of the world, but would also help to reduce the rate of illiteracy in the parish, as well as assist persons pursuing studies in various academic disciplines.
Expressing gratitude to Microsoft for the generosity it has displayed in donating the computers for the programme, Mr. Montague exhorted members of the communities to make the best use of the service and implored them to ensure that its operation redounds to the social and economic advancement of those communities and enhance the personal development of the residents.
Also addressing the function was Joe McKenzie, Country Manager for Microsoft, who assured the audience that phase two of the programme would be introduced shortly, in which Microsoft will be partnering with Cable and Wireless Jamaica to provide internet service for the schools in St. Mary.