BUJUMBURA March 2nd (ABP) – Burundi Minister of Communication and Media, Mr. Frédéric Nahimana, proceeded, in Bujumbura on Friday March 1, 2019, as part of the agreement reached between the People’s Republic of China and the Burundi Government, with the reception of the “Access to satellite television for 300 villages in Burundi” project, a distribution that was made by the company Startimes Burundi.
In his speech, Minister Nahimana recalled that the project consisted of choosing 300 villages in Burundi, providing 300 solar digital TV kits, 600 projector TV systems and 6000 reception terminal kits.
The same project aimed at popularizing television in every corner of the country, helping less affluent households to access television. It also aimed at accessing information and programs from national and international television, Mr. Nahimana added. In short, he said, the project pursued the goal of opening up the people to make access to the right to information effective.
After thanking the Chinese Government for its multifaceted support for Burundi, Minister Nahimana asked the Chinese Government to continue to support the Government of Burundi in its development efforts.
To the beneficiaries of the project, Mr. Nahimana asked them to ensure the sustainability of that valuable equipment and ensure its protection.
He did not forget the administrative officials and the technicians trained in that matter. He asked them to provide the people with all the necessary assistance for the sustainability of the project.
Mr. Nahimana promised that the Burundi government, through the Ministry of Communication and Media, will spare no effort to pursue initiatives to promote access to information for Burundians even in areas called shadow zones.
On his part, China’s Ambassador to Burundi, Li Changlin, said the project will have positive effects in several areas, such as contributing to the expansion of cooperation between China and Burundi.
According to him, the project has a social character and will allow people to know everything that is happening both inside and outside the country. It is a means of opening minds and an instrument for acquiring new knowledge, he said.
Mr. Changlin promised that his country has projects to run in Burundi, including projects that are relevant to the well-being of the local people, especially in rural areas.
As for the Director General of Startimes Burundi, Mr. Chen Zhen Yong, he said that this project is a commitment of Chinese President Xi-Jiping vis-à-vis the African continent and aims to equip 10,000 villages in 23 African countries with Satellite TV.
According to him, the goal is to give the inhabitants of those villages access to information so that they can better understand a world that is more interconnected each day.
The same project also intends to provide access to educational programs that provide villagers with knowledge and skills for a better life, he said.
Mr. Chen said that in Burundi, 300 villages have been equipped, that is, 600 public places and 6,000 families benefiting from this access to satellite TV. He added that more than 600 Burundians have been trained in the maintenance of project equipment.
Arriving in Burundi in 2010, Startimes has a vision to allow every African family to access and enjoy Digital TV, Chen said.
Provincial governors that took part in the ceremonies had the opportunity to speak about the success of the project in their respective constituencies. They said that the project allowed the people to follow from day to day, the information that is disseminated on the national and international television. To that end, they requested that the project be extended to increase the number of beneficiaries.
Note that at the end of the ceremonies, the Minister of Communication and Media presented a certificate to Startimes.
