Residents of Techier now have greater access to digital tools and opportunities with the opening of the Techier ICT Access Centre on Friday, April 11th, 2025. Located at 222 Fourteenth Street, Point Fortin, the centre is part of the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s ongoing efforts to provide all communities with access to essential digital resources.
The event was well-attended, with scores of parents, teachers, and students from across the area participating in an open forum with Minister of Digital Transformation, the Honourable Hassel Bacchus. During the discussion, community members raised questions, shared their concerns, and highlighted the digital needs of the area.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Bacchus underscored the wider vision behind the initiative, “Today is more than the opening of an ICT Access Centre. It’s the opening of a door. A door to opportunity. A door to knowledge. A door to possibility.” His words reflected the Ministry’s mission to empower communities through access to technology, leaving no one behind.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Mr Kennedy Richards, Member of Parliament for Point Fortin, and other local leaders and community representatives. Speaking at the launch, MP Kennedy Richards emphasized the growing importance of digital literacy in today’s world, “Technology is no longer something that we may need, it’s something that we need,” he said. “We need to know how to use the tools of technology. You have an opportunity to learn and grow and make the best out of your access centre.”
The Techier ICT Access Centre is one of 23 centres that provide access to digital tools, training, and connectivity at no cost to citizens. These centres are open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, offering:
- Digital skills development and support in using modern technologies
- No cost access to the internet, laptops, computing devices, and printing services
- Spaces for training sessions and conferences
Educator Rishi Gangadeen, an IT teacher at Point Fortin West Secondary School, welcomed the initiative, “I plan to bring my students here. It would be very beneficial because a lot of the students at home don’t have devices to carry out assignments or complete SBAs. Even if they do have devices, they often don’t have access to the internet. So centres like these are very crucial—very critical—for communities like ours,” he said.
Students were also enthusiastic about the new facility. Déja Guishard, a 17-year-old student from Point Fortin East Secondary School, shared her experience, “I think it’s really great that they’re bringing tech to an area that didn’t have much access before. I came here for only one day and did a coding programme. I got a certificate and it’ll help a lot with my exams. I’ll definitely bring my friends,” she said.
The Ministry looks forward to seeing the positive impact this ICT Access Centre will have on the Techier community. Residents will soon benefit from ICT Vacation Camps, workshops, and online learning opportunities, fully utilizing the available resources. For more information about our ICT Access Centres, please call +1(868) 612-4638 ext. 6