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Go Digital, Zanzibar Legislators Advised
[January 23, 2012]

Go Digital, Zanzibar Legislators Advised


Zanzibar, Jan 23, 2012 (Tanzania Daily News/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- ZANZIBAR authorities said on Saturday that the move to switch to digital technology would save islands from the current worrying importation of e-wastes mainly analogy TV sets.



Opening one-day seminar under the theme; "Knowledge About Digital Matters" the Second Vice President, Ambassador, Seif Ali Iddi said that as the African continent switch to the digital technology, it was necessary to leave behind the analogy system as per 2006 Geneva Agreement.

"We need to prepare for a change to digital technology which will also be useful in e-banking, e-government, and e-learning," Ambassador Seif told participants to the seminar intended for Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives under the chairmanship of the Speaker, Pandu Ameir Kificho.


zHe said control of the importation of analogy TVs is necessary because the analogy technology would come to an end shortly and the e-wastes will be a threat to the environment. "Zanzibar government is finalizing talks with the Exim Bank of China to provide a loan for digital project in Zanzibar before deadline.

In 2012 the East Africa Countries agreed to switch off all analogy broadcasting systems and shift to digital by December 30 this year while all other African countries follow suit by 2015. In efforts to make sure that people understand and prepare to switch to digital, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in collaboration with the Zanzibar broadcasting Commission (ZBC) introduced special training effective on Saturday.

Following revelation by Abdallah Mitawi from ZBC that majority of residents in the islands owning more than 300,000 analogy TV sets were unaware of the importance of the technological shift. "It is time TCRA and ZBC extend the knowledge to all districts," Seif said.

Despite the fact that the shift was costly, it was worth adopted. For example Rwanda has used about 50bn/- Uganda- more than 30bn/-, and therefore Tanzania needs at least 20bn/- for the purpose," Mitawi explained. An official from TCRA Mr Innocent Mungy emphasized on the need for the public to become aware of the necessary shift asking legislators to help communicate the information to the electorate.

"We are currently using radio, TV sets, seminars, brochures, and open public rallies/road shows as we prepare to use SMS through mobile phones and Internet to educate people on the technological shift," said Mungy emphasizing that digital was economically viable.

Most of the legislators such as Salim Abdallah Hamad (CUF- Mtambwe), Hija Hassan Hija (CUF- Tumbe), and Subeit Khamis Faki (CUFMicheweni) said they would convey the message effectively and share the knowledge with all. "More information regarding its practicability, the associated benefits and its impact on other communication systems like telephone is still needed for the people to learn more about it," Salim said.

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