Chinese government hands over satellite TV project to Rwanda government that will see more than 300 villages across Rwanda access digital television.
2019-05-25 Amakuru

The Chinese government has completed a digital television project that will see more than 6,000 individual households in 300 villages across Rwanda access digital television.

The project, code-named Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages, is among the 10 areas of cooperation agreed on during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2015 in Johannesburg South Africa and attended by among others, the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mr. KAYIRANGA Emmanuel, Mayor of Rulindo, said “on behalf of district we would like to thank the Chinese government for this donation, and StarTimes for the work they have done to make it happen, We promise to take care of these donations in order for the sets to give the best outcomes as it was intended.

Mr. KAYIRANGA Emmanuel, Mayor of Rulindo

The project, which was implemented by StarTimes under the supervision of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda and Ministry of Local Government, was started in June 2018.

Ms. Xing Yuchun, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of China in Rwanda,           

My colleague told me with the newly installed TV sets and devices around 1.5 Million Rwandan people in these rural areas have been connected to satellite television services and get access to a total of 23 Channels, a new world opened for many Rwandans who finally can successfully have the access to entertainment, national and international news, culture and history to all the information on every culture, technology, education etc. I think this will impact positively to my fellow Rwandans daily lives. It will also extend the opportunities, expend their horizon, improve welfare and provide more opportunities for a better life especially for the promising younger generation.she said.

Ms. Xing Yuchun, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of China in Rwanda.

The Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages is a China-Africa cooperation project that seeks to reduce the information divide by offering digital TV in rural areas.

Ms. Assumpta Ingabire, the Permanent Secretaryof MINALOC also noted:

I have the honor to express our sincere appreciation to the government of China for supporting us to implement TV penetration program across districts of the country.  Today we are here to officiate the handover of the Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages. The ministry of local government will take over the project management and the follow up of districts of Rwanda. This is also an opportunity for us to extend our sincere congratulation to Star Africa Media (StarTimes) which worked tirelessly since April 2018 for the good completion of this project

This TV penetration program bring to our citizen information and knowledge which are the foundation of development; as we all know knowledge is the power in the transit force for development, and one way of obtaining knowledge is through information; that is what we are bringing to our citizens today: Information, Knowledge and development.

We also thank the good partnership we have between our two countries, and we really appreciate the support of the government of China”

Ms. Assumpta Ingabire, the Permanent Secretary of MINALOC


Mr Jess Jing, StarTimes chief executive officer, said villagers will be able to access information on agricultural markets, and with the provision of educational channels on the decoders, they will help sharpen the learning exercise and increase innovation amongst pupils in the science sphere. the project will also give happiness to people when they enjoy national or international football leagues, moreover, this project will ensure effective communication in such a way that many Rwandans will easily be reached especially with government programmes since now many rural Rwandans have access to Television.

Mr Jess Jing, StarTimes chief executive officer

 

Writer: M.claire ISHIMWE

 

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