WINDHOEK: Construction of a new regional office for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has begun in Mariental, situated in the Hardap Region, as announced by Deputy Minister Emma Theofelus.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), who provided an update on the ministry’s key projects this Wednesday, the construction represents a move towards decentralizing the ministry’s functions across the regions. She highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader effort to extend the ministry’s reach and services. Theofelus also mentioned the allocation of funds to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for the upgrade of broadcasting networks and studios as part of the ministry’s capital projects.

Theofelus elaborated on the goal of achieving 95 percent digital television broadcasting network coverage across Namibian households in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan II. She underscored the importance of investing in broadcasting networks to ensure wide access to information through various NBC platforms.

Furthermore, Theofelus referred to a recent workshop by the Ministerial Decentralisation Committee, which reviewed and updated the MICT’s Functional Framework and Service Delivery Standards. This update was necessary due to rapid technological advancements and the addition of new sub-functions to the existing audio-visual and print functions. The revised documents, she noted, will be presented to the Regional Councils for implementation, in preparation for a readiness assessment scheduled for early 2025.