CC image courtesy of Hana Kirana
The Zambian government has decided to reissue the call for tenders for the execution of the digital migration process, reaffirming its commitment to adhering to the 2015 deadline.
HumanIPO reported in September the government had cancelled the tender following allegations of irregular processes in awarding it to Chinese firm Star Software Technologies, with the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) launching investigations into the process and an appeal by the Chinese firm against the cancellation rejected by the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.
Minister of information and broadcasting services Mwanza Kapeya revealed yesterday his ministry is currently working on the technical aspects of the tender, which is to be advertised soon, the Times of Zambia reports.
This follows the tabling of the final policy on digital migration before the cabinet for approval.
“Government pledges its commitment to mobilise resources for Zambia’s successful digital migration in line with the International Telecommunication Union deadline of June 2015,” Kapeya said.
Kapeya also said an independent report into the Access to Information Bill – a bill which was not presented to parliament due to it potentially clashing with other pieces of legislation – has been completed and is currently being examined by the ministry, following which it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for consideration.
He also revealed that the government has decided to allocate funds from the 2014 budget to struggling media organisations.
Times Printpak is to receive ZMW560,000 (US$100,000), the Zambia Institute of Mass Communications is granted ZMW460,000 (US$83,000), while ZMW360,000 (US$65,000) will be awarded to the Zambia Daily Mail and the Zambia Printing Company per company.
“We are aware that this is not enough, considering the longstanding financial challenges faced by these institutions, but the intervention represents Government’s commitment to ensuring the public media institutions are helped financially in order for them to serve the Zambian people better,” Kapeya said.
