RESIDENTS of the Jacques Road community in East Kingston are now enjoying the use of a comfortable, fully equipped computer lab and Internet café, following the official opening of the facility on June 11.

This is the 169th community access point to be established by the Government across the island, through the Universal Service Fund (USF) at a cost of $3 million. Another 12 centres came on stream since this facility was set up in January.

This is in keeping with the Government’s efforts to give more Jamaicans access to information and communications technology.

The USF has equipped the centre with 19 computers, a server, two printers, furniture, and air conditioning. The agency has also set up complete networking and is funding the Internet service.

An initiative of the Jacques Road Parenting Association Limited, the lab was established with the assistance of the Canadian government. In October last year, 60 Canadian navy personnel conducted a service day at the centre during a port visit in Kingston.

Canadian High Commissioner Robert Ready said the sailors put the basic structure together.

He said he was pleased to see “tangible on-the-ground results that impact real people in a very direct way”.

State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson, who is also Member of Parliament for South East St Andrew, said the lab is an asset for the community. He implored residents “to take advantage of it, nurture, protect it and fully utilise it”.

“The lab provides a great opportunity for those persons who otherwise would not have access to a computer, either at home or school, to come here; for children to do their homework, for adults to do their research,” he said.

He said persons can use the technology to find ways to empower themselves, noting that there are many applications on the Internet that persons can use to work online.

The lab was also established with input from the Caribbean Cement Company and residents.