CM/Res.885 (XXXVII)
RESOLUTION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PAN-AFRICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Thirty- seventh Ordinary Session in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 - 26 June, 1981,
Having considered the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of PANAFTEL Network. Document CM/1138 (XXXVII) and noting with satisfaction of the progress made and the fact that several international links will become operational during 1981,
Taking note of the problems still being faced by the Africa region in obtaining financial resources for the completion of certain sectors of the Network,
Aware of the need to provide facilities for all users of adequate telecommunications services within the region,
Conscious of the fact that the full impact of telecommunications in development depends not only on international links but also on the adequate development, operation and maintenance of the national networks,
Recalling Resolutions CM/Res.24 (XV), CM/Res.309 (XXI), CM/Res.358 (XXIII) and subsequent resolutions on the implementation of the PANAFTEL Network:
The Plan of Action adopted by the Second-Extraordinary Session of the OAU Heads of State and Government in Lagos, April, 1980;
The decisions of the Third African Telecommunications Conference (Monrovia, December, 1980) and in particular Recommendation No. 6 which invites multilateral and bilateral financing institutions to take
special measures aimed at increasing financial flows for investment in Telecommunications programmes;
The decision of the Second Conference of African Ministers of Transport, Communications and Planning (Addis Ababa, March, 1981) concerning the mobilization of additional funds for the implementation of the Transport and Communications Decade Programme for Africa:
EXPRESSES its appreciation to the PANAFTEL Co-ordinating Committee for their efforts towards the implementation of the Pan-African Telecommunications Network and invites them to continue their efforts;
REQUESTS the PANAFTEL Co-ordinating Committee to convene a meeting of multilateral financing institutions in accordance with Recommendation No. 6 of the Third African Telecommunications Conference;
URGES the PANAFTEL Co-ordinating Committee (OAU, ECA, ITU, PATU and ADB) to intensify its efforts towards assisting Member States for the successful establishment, operation and maintenance of their respective national networks in order to enhance the speedy inter-connection of national links and thereby ensure the implementation of the links in the PANAFTEL network;
REQUESTS the other members of the PANAFTEL Co-ordinating Committee OAU, ECA, ITU and ADB) to provide all possible assistance to the Pan-African Telecommunications Union (PATU) in carrying out its responsibilities specially of the amelioration and harmonization of the operation, maintenance, tariff and training for the successful establishment of the Pan-African Telecommunications (PANAFTEL) Network;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the resolution to the Thirty-ninth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers.