Yaluma accuses ZICTA of partnering with service provider to exploit Zambians

Transport, Works, Supply, and Communications Minister Christopher Yaluma today took to task management and staff at the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) over the authority’s alleged failure to regulate the high tariffs and poor service delivery by mobile service providers.

Mr. Yaluma charged that ZICTA has stood by and watched mobile service providers exploit Zambians through high tariffs.

He said this when he visited ZICTA offices in Lusaka today.

He said ZICTA has not performed its regulatory role even when it was aware of its responsibility of ensuring that quality services were delivered to consumers.

Mr. Yaluma alleged that the authority has instead teamed up with mobile service providers in exploiting the public.

He said as a communication regulatory authority, ZICTA should adopt an aggressive approach in regulating mobile phone service providers.

He has since instructed the authority to come up with a clear strategy of how it plans to improve access to information and communications technology, detailing the cost and benefits to Zambians.

The minister observed that ZICTA’s previous strategies lacked a clear roadmap, hence making it ineffective.

And ZICTA Board Chairperson Gertrude Akapelwa Euheni disclosed that her authority will soon open an ICT centre of knowledge which will train information technology personnel in order to improve ICT innovations in the country.

Mrs. Euheni said lack of an ICT training centre has hindered the levels of performance in the sector.

Meanwhile, ZICTA Director General Margaret Mudenda said the authority will endeavour to provide the best service to Zambians.