Ministers fast-track undersea cable

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 07 Jun 2006

Ministers from 15 African countries have committed to fast-track the ratification of the regulatory framework for the $300 million Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (Eassy).

The policy and regulatory framework for Eassy and associated terrestrial network is set to be ratified in August, the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (Nepad) e-Africa Commission said.

Yesterday, ministers from 15 African countries involved in the project signed a declaration that approved the policy and regulatory framework, following a two-day meeting organised by the Nepad e-Africa Commission and hosted by the Department of Communications.

The framework covers issues of funding and implementation of the project, ownership rights and the governance of the cable network infrastructure.

The declaration commits the ministers to do "whatever it takes" to fast-track the ratification of the framework [by the president or cabinet] in their individual countries, said Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, SA`s minister of communications.

Special purpose vehicle

Each country will also ensure regulatory mechanisms are put in place to support the special purpose vehicle (SPV) that has been designed by stakeholders to own the Eassy project, she said.

The ministers also set up a steering committee that oversees the appointment of the board of directors and management, said Henry Chasia, chairman of the Nepad e-Africa Commission.

He said construction of the cable will begin in the fourth quarter of 2006, if the ratification of the regulatory framework and the appointment of the project`s board of directors and management is finalised as planned.

Investors from the African continent will contribute 90% of the project funding, with the private sector playing a crucial role in sourcing the funds, Matsepe-Casaburri said.

The Nepad e-Africa Commission also announced that Rwanda has been appointed as the headquarters of the SPV. Rwanda`s information and communications technology minister Stanislas Kamanzi confirmed that the country will provide initial assets to speed up the implementation of the Eassy project, including the hiring of support staff.