After two years of landing the submarine cable on the shores of Sierra Leone, President Ernest BaiKoroma and former Minister of Information and Communications, AlhajiIbrahim Ben Kargbo,on Thursday February 21 commissioned the long-awaited fibre optic cable at the landing site at Lumley in Freetown.
Former Information Minister I.B. Kargbo said the concept of fibre optic was a deliberate determination by President Koroma and his government to put in place effective structures to address the backwardness of telecommunications in the country. In his keynote address, President Koroma said the launching of the cable would not only enhance effective communication in the country, but also would transform the nation and move it to another level in terms of effective communication; ensure massive reduction in the cost of communication as the country is committed to the Agenda for Prosperity.
Koroma noted that as his administration has now commissioned the fibre optic cable, they are also planning to develop the E-service, which includes E-education, E-tourism, and E-government, among others, and increase the communication bandwidth.
"As we launch this fibre optic cable, the farmers in the remote village should have access to better communication as the students in the universities.It will also take the country to an era of cheaper and effective communication and it is likely to transform the information and communication technology (ICT) sector," Koroma stated. Chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), Siray Alpha Timbo, said as a telecommunications regulator,NATCOM has played a leading role in harnessing communication system across the country.
He said the fibre optic is here to promote development in the country.