IN an effort to improve the quality of communication and recording at council and management meetings, the City has launched a new telecommunications system.

It was launched in East London and King William’s Town by the council Speaker, Luleka Simon, and the municipal manager, Gaster Sharpley, on Friday, 8 August. Funds to buy the equipment came from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Speaking at the launch, Simon thanked the DBSA for supporting the municipality in its efforts to improve the delivery of services to the people. “[The] DBSA showed commitment to the City by loaning us R250-million last year; and now this equipment will go a long way in assisting us conduct our meetings.”

Sharpley said the information and communication technology (ICT) equipment would play a big role in improving the standard of council and management meetings.

“Utilising ICT we will be able to enhance the standard of our meetings. This equipment will be a solution to the problems we face at both council and management meetings.”

The equipment included a computer to be used for screening videos and for teleconferencing during management meetings, cordless microphone and speakers that would improve sound quality, and a digital recording system.