Neneh Macdouall-Gaye, Secretary of State for Communications and Information Technology, alongside Dr Patrick Chang, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia, on Thursday, inspected the new Computer Repairing and Maintenance Centre at the Department of State for Communication and Information Technology (DoCIT) in Kanifing.

The realisation of the centre is a product of discussion between the DoCIT and the Taiwanese Embassy in The Gambia. This centre seeks to lay solid foundation for the realisation of Vision 2020 Silicon initiative that aims at transforming The Gambia into a hi-tech-giant and superpower on the face of Africa. The establishment of the centre is also in line with the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policy.

River Huang, a Taiwanese computer expert, arrived in the country recently to kick start the operation of the centre, alongside Gambian IT specialists at DoCIT.

During the inspection, Ambassador Chang donated an array of IT spare parts, including mother band, CD-Rom, network equipment, hard disk, cables, and tool kits.

Speaking to the press shortly after the inspection, Secretary of State Macdouall-Gaye described the centre as an excellent initiative. She said the centre will be of vital importance when Vision 2020 Silicon Valley initiative takes off.

She disclosed that 12 Gambians will be enrolled at a time for a three-month -long training at the centre, saying they will map out strategies for the enrolment process.

SoS Macdouall-Gaye commended Ambassador Chang and his embassy for being useful in the operationalisation of the centre. She also used the opportunity to thank the government of Taiwan for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

Expressing his delight with the centre, Ambassador Chang said the centre is complementary to the Silicon Valley initiative. "We are glad with the centre," he added.

Dr Chang said the Taiwanese experts will train Gambians as trainers in computer repairing and maintenance. He disclosed that more experts will arrive to work at the centre.

He then thanked President Jammeh for his vision for the country, lauding the "strong" commitment of SoS Macdouall-Gaye towards the realisation of the centre.

The inspection was also attended by Kumba Conateh, Deputy Permanent Secretary and the staff at DoCIT, as well as official of the Taiwanese Embassy.