Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Beauty Undi-Phiri has commended the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) for upgrading some communication towers in the province.

Ms Undi-Phiri stated that the upgrade of communication towers from 2G to 4G will improve the province’s access to Internet especially for those in rural parts of the province.

She added that the initiative has come at a right time when the government has digitized social protection programmes adding that beneficiaries will now have easy access to the internet.

Ms Undi-Phiri disclosed that the provincial administration through Smart Zambia has managed to connect 11 councils in the province to the internet, a situation she said has improved service delivery.

Speaking when a team from ZICTA paid a courtesy call on her, the Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary appreciated ZICTA for equipping some learning institutions with user friendly Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment especially for people with disabilities.

Ms Undi-Phiri further urged ZICTA to continue bridging the gap for people in the utilisation of internet and other ICT facilities.

And ZICTA Vice Board Chairperson Selvas Mwanza disclosed that the authority is engaging network providers to ensure that they enhance their service delivery especially in the rural areas.

Mr Mwanza observed that in some areas the network is still a challenge which poses difficulties to beneficiaries of government social protection programmes to access the services.

He emphasised that ZICTA will continue to work closely with the government in enhancing the communication system which is key in the development of the nation.

Mr Mwanza indicated that the visit by the team from ZICTA has unveiled several challenges which the province has been facing in the areas of communication and technology services.