e. Tertiary education institutions to increase by 50% the output of ICT graduates by 2013. f. A research and development centre dedicated to innovation to be established at one of the two universities by September 2010; g. ICT in-service skilled training for staff already on the job and full training for new recruits from 2010; h. Teaching licence to be introduced and annually renewed based on successful completion of a continuing professional development course from 2010. A1-5 Natural Resources and Environment A1-5-1 Issues a. Inadequate geographical data on our natural resources. b. Rampant deforestation and degradation of the environment especially land degradation. c. Unplanned mining, fishing and hunting activities and housing constructions. d. Environmental pollution as a result of erosion, road construction, urbanization, industrialization, farming, sewage and waste disposals. e. Smuggling and illegal poaching of natural resources. A1-5-2 Objectives a. To obtain complete geographical data of natural resources. b. To raise awareness about the consequences of rampant deforestation through ICT tools. c. To provide access to ICT tools in areas threatened by environmental degradation and natural disasters; d. To monitor and regulate the mining and fishing activities in the country to ensure environment preservation and natural resources sustainability through geo-enabled information systems. e. To put in place an ICT-based early warning system on natural resources, disasters and environmental degradation to anticipate crises in advance, thus enabling governments to be more proactive and to respond more effectively when the need arises. f. To capacitate and equip the anti smuggling unit with ICT based knowledge and equipment. A1-5-3 Challenges a. Limited skilled personnel and ICT/GIS equipment. ICT Policy of Sierra Leone Page 51 / 63

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