For the first time, the government will equip the lower level administrative structures with computers for proper record keeping. The move is aimed at easing work up to the cell level (second lowest) of governance.

Cyrille Turatsinze, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government disclosed this yesterday in an interview with The New Times.

"We are in the process of equipping each of the 2, 148 cells with two computers, an exercise slated to end by 2013,” Turatsinze said.

The move follows the government’s decision to enlist the services of two permanent employees at every cell. Currently, there are 2, 148 cells across the country.

"We intend to distribute 800 computers this year (2011/2012 fiscal year),” explained Turatsinze.

He said that during the same period (2013), all cells will also be connected to the Internet while connecting the technology at all sectors, a project due for completion by the end of next year.

Utility body, Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority, is currently rolling out electricity to all parts of the country in its programme to light all schools, government offices, hospitals and health centres.

"Some cells and sectors will for the time being be using solar energy or micro-hydro power.”

Turatsinze also noted that the government is currently carrying out an inventory exercise to recover all its premises, to help solve the problem of lack of administrative blocks, especially in the countryside.

"Building model blocks for cells will be done at a later stage because it has to be budgeted for. The inventory of government houses is also aimed at acquiring offices for other government agencies like Umwalimu SACCO”.

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