KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Science, Energy & Technology has made Mandela Park in Half Way Tree, St Andrew, the second public Wi-Fi facility in Jamaica, following yesterday’s launch staged by the Universal Service Fund (USF).

 “I believe that Jamaicans need to really appreciate that for us to achieve our true economic potential, we have to ensure that ICT is our main pillar. The USF (in that regard) is an entity that facilitates this, ensuring that Jamaicans are exposed to the technologies we find out there driving the world economy,” portfolio minister Andrew Wheatley said in a media release today.

According to the release, USF ConnectJA, is one initiative in a range of offerings by the USF, an agency of the ministry charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the island obtains 100 per cent Internet access regardless of region or demographic.

The ministry added that while they seek to “make information as accessible as air” they are aware of the existing potential for people of ill-intent to use the facility for a range of nefarious activities.

“It is for this reason that security measures are being devised to mitigate our facilities becoming an aid to criminals in the execution of their activities,” Wheatley said.

The Mandela Park Wi-Fi facility follows that of Devon House, which was commissioned on October 28, 2016.