AfricaLink Reports

>> AfricaLink Home >> AfricaLink Reports >> WARDA Jan. 1997 Trip Report

TRIP REPORT WARDA/AfricaLink West Africa Program Bouaké, January 28-31, 1997 Jeffrey A. Cochrane Revised February 7, 1997 The AfricaLink Advisor visited Bouaké, Ivory Coast, for consultations with the AfricaLink liaison, Mr. Alassane Diallo, at the West African Rice Development Association (WARDA). A grant of $300,000 was awarded to WARDA to facilitate Internet connectivity and information sharing in West and Central Africa, particularly within the agricultural research community. The objectives of the consultations were: To review progress in the implementation of the terms of the grant, with reference to the timetable established during the meeting held in October of 1996. To explore lessons learned. To determine immediate next steps. Persons Visited WARDA: Alassane Diallo, Head of Documentation Department Peter Matlon, Director of Research Robin Lemp, Administration USAID/REDSO/WCA: Yves-Coffi Prudencio S.K. Reddy Progress Report The following timetable for AfricaLink implementation in West and Central Africa was established during a meeting held at WARDA in October 1996. Timetable of October 1996 18 Oct 96 Send followup letter to all heads of agricultural research institutions in WARDA member countries, with copies to network coordinators, network members, and heads of research substations Oct/Nov 96 Draft grant conditions for agricultural institutions; Circulate draft to AfricaLink/WARDA oversight committee 30 Nov 96 Deadline to receive responses from heads of agricultural research institutions 1-15 Dec 96 Analysis of responses from heads of agricultural research institutions; Synthesis report and recommendations circulated by email to oversight committee 15 Jan 97 Comments from oversight committee received; Meeting in Bouaké with available members of oversight committee 16 Jan 97 Begin disbursement of funds; Begin analysis to solve special problem cases (e.g. Rokupr) Significant, substantive progress has been made. Details are contained in a report from WARDA, included here in the appendix. Grant Conditions Grant conditions for AfricaLink assistance were formulated by Mr. Diallo. Each institution receiving assistance is required to "ensure that all scientists -- and particularly scientists members of the USAID-funded research networks, CORAF networks, and WARDA Research Task Forces and Working Groups -- have free access to the system (Internet and/or electronic mail) whether the computers are networked or not. Furthermore, this should impede in no way the normal monitoring and control by the institution of its communications costs. If the computers are not networked, and that, for example, only one work station is connected (i.e. centrally managed electronic mail terminal), the institution will endeavor to put in place an efficient mechanism that will allow scientists to easily access Internet and be able to send and to receive electronic mail." A further requirement is that the institution "cover all expenses related to the smooth operation of the system for sustainability purposes, after project funds made available to them are spent." Also, "sign and return to the AfricaLink Coordinator at WARDA's Headquarters -- at the receipt of the allocated funds -- a form acknowledging receipt of the funds and accepting the conditions stated above." Communications with Research Institutions Some 80 letters were sent in October, 1996, to major agricultural research and related institutions in the region, as well as to scientists within those institutions identified as members of specific regional agricultural research networks. Many responded that they could not return cost estimates by the end of November as specified in the letter. However, most were able to respond by the end of December. Note that two strategies were followed simultaneously in soliciting applications for AfricaLink assistance. The ultimate objective of AfricaLink is to facilitate the flow of information, in this case among members of the agricultural research community. As information generally flows among networks of scientists, it is important that scientists organized in networks be targeted for Internet connectivity. Letters were therefore sent directly to scientists identified in a number of important networks. However, it is recognized that Internet communications for a specific scientist within an organization is typically best managed at the level of the organization, which is where budgets for other forms of communications (e.g. telephones) are typically managed. For this reason, letters were also sent to directors of agricultural research organizations. Advisory Committee It had previously been expected that there would be a quite complicated process to determine which agricultural research institutions in the region would receive AfricaLink assistance. An advisory committee was proposed to assist with prioritizing assistance. In the event, the implementation of this phase of AfricaLink in West Africa proved quite straightforward. Mr. Diallo has indicated that he will keep the major coordinating bodies and donors in the region informed -- IITA, ICRISAT, CORAF, REDSO -- but that he felt it unnecessary to convene a formal meeting. Responses from Research Institutions Responses were received from scientists and directors working in 27 institutions. Details are contained in the report from WARDA, attached here as an appendix. In their responses, the institutions requested assistance for the connectivity of 79 research stations and institutes, to provide electronic mail access to between 500 and 800 research scientists. Each institution has been asked to submit a complete list of names of scientists who will have access to the electronic mail systems once installed. It is generally estimated that $800 will be required per site to provide a modem, system installation, and running costs for an initial period of three months. To connect the 79 sites, it is therefore estimated that approximately $70,000 will be required. More requests may be received, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Additional expenses will be incurred at a number of sites requiring a computer. Computers have been requested for 22 sites, at an approximate cost of $6000 per site (computer, power regulator, printer, monitor), at an estimated total cost of $132,000. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some sites already have working electronic mail systems in place, and have requested assistance in improving the quality of information transmissions, e.g. through installation of a local area network for mail distribution. These requests will be favorably considered, as it is the policy of AfricaLink to encourage those institutions that have taken the initiative in electronic communications. Disbursement of funds is expected to begin within the next two weeks for those sites having submitted comprehensive proforma invoices. Additional information is being requested from other sites. Lessons Learned The procedure for establishing electronic connectivityseems in most cases to be working more simply than had been expected. Mr. Diallo reports a recent visit to Guinea during which contact was made with staff of the Institut de Recherche Agronomique de Guinée(IRAG). The Guinea- Net company was contacted and immediate access for electronic mail was arranged. It was helpful for Mr. Diallo himself to participate directly in the connection of an institution, thereby more fully understanding the process to be followed with other institutions. According to Mr. Diallo, it now seems quite clear that a policy of working through major agricultural institutions in order to connect specific scientists is preferable to that of working directly with the scientists themselves. This matter had been discussed during the October meetings. The AfricaLink Advisor had suggested that in some cases the directors of institutions may not perceive Internet connectivity as a sufficiently high priority, and that in those cases it would be necessary to work directly with scientists. The AfricaLink objective is to enhance the flow of information among, in this case, agricultural research scientists. The responses from agricultural institutions indicate that they will make the institutional access to electronic mail available to these scientists. Problems were identified in reporting results to USAID. The importance of maintaining a comprehensive database of connected sites and scientists was discussed. In addition to periodic reports as required under the grant, Mr. Diallo will endeavor to provide more frequent memoranda to keep the AfricaLink Advisor apprised of progress. Next Steps Discussions were held about steps to be taken during the next several months. WARDA is expecting an upgrade in their internal communications systems to begin within a week, and this should greatly enhance their ability to communicate with partners. A Windows NT LAN is to be cabled and configured by the Adamat (sp?) company in Abidjan, with completion expected by the end of February, at a cost of approximately $50,000. By the end of February, as part of their relationship with CGNeT, WARDA will receive a joint consultancy from CGNeT and Adamat to discuss the configuration and effective use of an Intranet. These networking enhancements will be concentrated in the main administrative building of WARDA. Mr. Diallo's office is in the library, about one kilometer distant. A link to the LAN via dial-up connection was discussed. It was pointed out that this is easily configured within Windows NT, and that the new telephone cabling from the library to main administration should facilitate an excellent connection. Mr. Diallo would then be able to receive his mail at his desktop, greatly enhancing his communications efficiency. Mssrs. Lemp and Diallo agreed to raise this configuration issue with CGNeT and Adamat. Help Desk The establishment of a regional AfricaLink "help desk" was discussed. The AfricaLink Advisor expressed a preference that this help desk be established in a francophone country, complementing the two anglophone help desks already established in Kampala and Johannesburg. Mr. Diallo will contact a number of different organizations to determine if a contract for this purpose can be established. Those to be contacted include ENDA in Dakar and MaliNet in Bamako. The help desk will: Develop appropriate workshop and seminar materials as directed by WARDA in consultation with the coordinators of the various research networks assisted by AfricaLink. Monitor assisted sites and maintain a database of connected scientists. Provide both remote and on-site technical support as required by WARDA for connected sites. Workshops Four different types of workshops were discussed, one for each of the following target audiences: Coordinators of communications networks for research institutions Senior staff and directors of research institutions Technical communications staff of research institutions Scientists and other users of information technologies For communications network coordinators, the Internet Society holds an annual workshop that may prove appropriate, costing approximately $6000 including airfare for each participant. Funding may be requested from the Leland Initiative for this purpose. The workshop this year will be held in Malaysia. The appropriate session for network coordinators is "Track 3", entitled Network Navigation and Services, intended for "would-be providers of networked information services; also those supporting and training potential information providers on the non- commercial Internet." According to the workshop announcement, topics covered include Web servers and clients, search services, security issues, legal and ethical issues, National infrastructure issues, setting up and maintaining quality information services, special problems with servers at the end of slow links, caching strategies and mirroring, communication services and HTML authoring. The course will cover cgi-scripts and java etc. at an introductory level only. (This is NOT a programming course.) As an important reason for your attendance will be to enable you to pass on your knowledge to others, there will be sessions on how to support and train users and providers of information. Directors and senior staff of research institutions generally meet one or more times during the year. Consideration is being given to scheduling workshops in conjunction with these meetings. The purpose would be to apprise them of the latest developments in electronic networking for their fields, and importance of budgeting sufficient resources to assure that their staff will have access. For technical staff of research institutions, as well as for users of information technologies, it would appear most effective to schedule workshops and seminars on a national basis. These would generally be organized in collaboration with the local service providers, who provide the primary support for Internet connectivity. The Help Desk would assist in sharing lessons learned between countries, so that successes in one workshop in one country might be incorporated into the next workshop in another. These national workshops could include participants not only from agricultural research institutions, but from other organizations as well. For institutions of sufficient size, cost-effective programs could be developed to serve their special needs. For technical staff, topics might include management of a central, locally non-networked electronic mail service. Under this type of service, electronic mail for a number of staff members arrives at a central workstation. A receptionist must then dispatch printed or disk copies of message to their intended recipients. Outgoing messages are received by the receptionist for transcription and transmittal. Such a system is quite cost-effective, but requires careful organizational planning. The workshop can address this planning issue, as well as more technical topics such as the handling of file attachments, ASCII encoding, translation tools, and non-ASCII characters. A workshop for users of information technologies might include basic hands-on practical training in composing, editing, and transmitting electronic mail, document handling, participating in electronic conferences, effective search techniques, and technical support issues. Such a workshop would be tailored to the available technology (TCP/IP, store-and-forward, desktop availability vs. centralized workstation, etc.). Special Connectivity Problem Sites It is expected that special connectivity solutions will be required for a number of sites. The research station at Rokupr in Sierra Leone has already been identified as one site where telephone access is unavailable. A radio-email solution was discussed, and materials from the CODAN company were shared with Mr. Diallo. Timetable of Projected Activities A timetable for the next several months was established as follows: Timetable of January 1997 February Begin disbursement of funds by check, payable to service providers, delivered to the research institutions. 10 sites connected by the end of the month March Establish help desk in West Africa. 20 additional sites connected by the end of the month (totaling 30 sites). Prepare proposals for special solutions (e.g. radio). April 20 additional sites connected by the end of the month (totaling 50 sites). Materials completed for first workshop. Appendix: Implementation of the WARDA-Managed Portion West and Central Africa (July 1996 - July 1997) This section by Alassane Diallo of WARDA Applications for connection received as of 30 January 1997. A. WARDA MEMBER COUNTRIES BENIN * INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE DU BENIN (INRAB) for 10 centers and research stations. From Mr. Gaston G. Kokode (Biometricien-chercheur, INRAB 01 BP 884, Cotonou, Benin, Tel 30 02 64): email and fax of 20 December 1996. Proforma from internet provider (national company or Centre SYFED at the University) announced buy not yet received. 10 modems (CFA F 170,000.00 per unit) = CFA F1,700, 000.00 Subscription CFA F 20 000 x 10 = CFA F 200,000.00 10 Mail Boxes CFA F 10 000 x 10 = CFA F 100,000.00 Charges per semester CFA F 600 000 x 10 = CFA F 6,000,000.00 Computer CFA F2,440,000.00 (invoice from SOCRAB, Cotonou, Bénin) Printer CFA F 950,000.00 (invoice from SOCRAB, Cotonou, Bénin) * UNITE NATIONALE DE COORDINATION DES VALLEES INTERIEURES From Vincent Joseph Mama (Coordinateur de l'Unite Nationale de Coordination des Vallees Interieures, Comite Nationale de Recherche Agricoles, BP 06.711, Cotonou, Benin, Tel/Fax 33 03 80): email dated 13 November and letter no. 126/96/UNC dated 2 December 1996. For the following 4 sites: Programme Riz-Bohicon Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie Rurale, Porto-Novo Cellule Bas-Fonds, Porto-Novo Centre Nationale d'Agro-Pédologie, Agonkanmé Abomey Calavi Four invoices in the amount of respectively CFA F 802,400.00 ; CFA F 743,400.00 ; CFA F 743,400.00 and CFA F 713,900.00 (for US Robotics Sporter 28800 Modem, accessories, software, email subscription, training) provided by Soft Power Gestion Informatique (BP 03- 1655, Cotonou, Benin, Tel/fax 31 40 19) a society recognized by the Post and Telecommunications Office of Benin. As these four sites are all INRAB services and stations, I sent an email requesting Mr. Kokode to get into touch with Mr. Mama so that INRAB submits a consolidated application to avoid duplication. BURKINA FASO * INSTITUT D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AGRICOLES (INERA) From Dr. Paco Sereme (Directeur, INERA, 03 BP 7192, Ouagadougou, Tel 34 02 96/70 ; Fax 34 02 71) Fax no. 0009852 dated 30 October and letter ref. 001128/ESSRS/CNRST/INERA/D dated 25 November 1996. For the following 11 sites: CNRST/Direction Générale INERA/Direction INERA/Fara-Koba INERA/Kamboinse INERA/Saria INERA/Tougan INERA/Katchari INERA/Kouare INERA/Niangoloko INERA/Banfora IRBET Two of the sites (Banfora and Niangoloko) do not have computers. The Office National des Telecommunications du Burkina (ONATEL) will provide access to Internet starting from December 1997. In the meantime a quotation for using RIO ORSTOM network is provided. The total cost for using this system for 3 month is as follows: CFA F 1500000 for 11 subscriptions to RIO, installation of software, and training of two staff CFA F 7 150157 for 11 modems (CFA F 206700 per unit), and 3 desktop computers (, and unit price of CFA F 1780079 for one computer used as WEB server and 1548189 for the two others) Utilization cost: monthly fee per site CFA F 10 000; invoicing of messages CFA F 90000 (CFA F 150 per kilobytes with an average of 600 kilobytes per site), given a total of CFA F 100000 per site and CFA F 1100000 for all sites Total estimates for respectively 3 and 6 month utilization are CFA F 11950000 and 15250157. I sent a letter to Dr. Sereme. Requesting him to send another application with a quotation from SONATEL. CAMEROON * INSTITUT DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE (IRA) From Dr. Jacob AssamAyuk Takem( Directeur, IRA, BP 2123 Messa, Younde, Cameroun, Tel (237) 23 26 44 ; Fax (237) 23 75 43): email dated 20 December 1996. For the following 10 stations: Nkolbisson Maroua Ekona Mankon Ngaoundere Garoua Bertoua Kumba Kribi Njombe No computer available at Headquarters. Quotation provided and proforma announced to follow but not yet received. a) Basic Charge CFA F 750000 (CFA F 75000 per station) b) 6 month fee CFA F 1407950 (140795 per station) c) 9 modems CFA F1800000 (CFA F 200000 per modem) d) 1 desktop computer (CFA F 3200000) and a printer (1200000) for Headquarters Total a +b+c+d=CFA F 8357950 Letter sent acknowledging receipt and requesting information on the possibility of duty-free purchase of computer hardware. CHAD * DIRECTION DE LA RECHERCHE ET DE LA TECHNOLOGIE AGRICOLES (DRTA) From Dr. Aboubakar Ourde Ousta, Directeur (Direction de la recherche et de la technologie agricoles, BP 441, N'Djaména, Tchad): letter no. 696/DRTA/96 dated 24 November 1996. For 1 site located in N'Djaména. Proforma invoice from ALPHA Service for: Modem USR, software, training and six month subscription on CALVAPRO server: CFA F 534140 Computer (DELL) CFA F 1720120 Total request CFA F 2254260. Letter of acknowledgement sent. CÔTE D'IVOIRE * INSTITUT DES FORET (IDEFOR) RECHERCHES AGRONOMIQUES EN ZONE DE FORET From Dr. Sie Koffi, Coordonnateur (Cellule Centrale de Gestion, IDEFOR, 01 BP 1740 Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire, Tel (225) 453300 ; Fax (225) 453305): letter ref. TI/ZE/617 dated 23 december 1996. For 6/12 sites located at the following 6 stations: Plateau (2 computers available) Cocody (no computer available) Bingerville (3 computers available) Bimbresso (1 computer available) Anguedou (1 computer available) Adiopodoume (7 computers available) Two proforma invoices from AfricaOnline for respectively 6 and 1 year illimitated access formula: Subscription CFA F 10000 per site Modem unit price CFA F 244440 1 month illimitated-access formula: CFA F 75000 Total for 6 month subscription for 6 sites: CFA F 4778640 Total for 6 month subscription for 12 sites: CFA F9557280 Letter of acknowledgement sent. * INSTITUT DES SAVANES (IDESSA) From Dr. Koffi Goli (Directeur general, IDESSA, 01 BP 633 Bouake 01, Cote d'Ivoire,. Tel (225) 63 35 26/63 31 39/63 20 44 ; Fax (225) 63 31 26): letter ref.0725/96/YT/MR/DAST dated 11 November 1996. For IDESSA Headquarters: Proforma invoice from Africaonline for 1 modem US R CFA F 2444000, subscription CFA F 10000 and 6 month illimitated-access formula CFA F 450000 (1 month CFA F 75 000). Total with taxes CFA F 552000. Proforma invoice from TERPI (10 BP 3581 Abidjan 10 Cote d'Ivoire) one computer and printer CFA F 2570000. In case of difficulties in the Bouake/Abidjan telephone ligne, posibility of leasing a dedicated ligne at the estimated cost of CFA F 2000000. Letter of acknowledgement and request for clarification on the dedicated ligne sent. THE GAMBIA * NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NARI) From: Director General (National Agricultural Research Institute, Yundum, The Gambia): Fax dated 7 august 1996 and letter and fax dated 18 December 1996. Proforma invoice from Compudata (Gambia) Ltd for two stations Yundum and Sapu: for Yundum (2 external modem, trip to Sapu and installation, connexion fee, rentral and first monthly pay, one week training on operations and usage) for a total of dalasis 21620 or US $ 2403. Letter of acknowledgement sent. GHANA * GHANA NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROJECT (NARP), COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR) From prof. W. S. Alhassan, Director-general (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) P.O. Box M. 32, Accra, Ghana): fax ref. no. CSIR/440/SCH/SF-13/20 dated 2nd December 1996. From prof. J. C. Norman, Deputy Director-general (Agricultural Research) (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) P.O. Box M. 32, Accra, Ghana): fax dated 2nd December 1996. For the connexion of one site located in Accra. Proforma invoice from Network Computer Systems Ltd (1 year internet registration fee, 12 months subscription fee, 1 USR modem) for a total of US $ 890. Letter of acknowledgement sent. * SAVANNA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SARI) From Hector Mercer-Quarshie, Director (Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 52, Tamale N/R, Ghana). No invoice received so far. Letter of acknowledgement sent. * CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE From : Dr. O. B. Ag Director on behalf of Dr. Ernest Otoo, Director (Crops Research Institute, P.O. Box 3785, Kumasi-Ashanti, Ghana): letter ref. no. CSIR/CRI/WARDA/15/V.6/206 dated 6 January 1997. For the connexion of head office located at Fumesua. Proforma invoice (Hayes internal modem, annual registration fee, first 12 months subscription fee, transport/Internet software, indoor phone cable and accessories) for a total of US $ 974. Letter of acknowledgement sent. GUINEA * INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE DE GUINEE (IRAG) From Dr. Sékpu Cissé, Directeur général (Institut de Recherche Agronomique de Guinée , BP 1523, Conakry, Guinée): letter ref. 681/IRAG dated 20 November 1996 requesting for the assistance of an expert and informing that SOTELGUI (the national telephone company) is planning to provide access to Internet by the end of the year. IRAG Headquarters connected on 15 January 1997 (email address irag@meaf.org.gn) through the Guinea-Net Electronic Mail Service. IRAG should now obtain proforma invoices for the connexion of those ot its 7 research stations where telephone is available. I met with Mr. Mamadou Pathé Barry, Director, Sales and Marketing Department of SOTELGUI and one of the company's Malaysian Expert. SOTELGUI is expecting to provide full access to Internet from March or April 1997. The equipment is already available and all efforts are being made to improve the telephone system throughout the Country. IRAG was invited to submit its request for connection. GUINEA-BISSAU No application received so far. LIBERIA No application received so far. MALI * INSTITUT D'ECONOMIE RURALE (IER) From Dr. Oumar Niangado, Directeur général (Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), BP 258 Bamako, Mali): fax dated 25 November 1996. For 15 sites within IER Research Stations: Bamako and Sotuba: 5 sites Sikasso: 3 sites Niono: 3 sites Mopti: 3 sites Proforma invoice from BINTTA S.A.-Mali, Bamako, Mali, for 15 modems, installation and training, travel and perdiem for a total of CFA F 6 450 000. Cost of monthly subscription toMaliNet (CFA F 50000 for 1 site and CFA F 100000 for 2 sites and more) is not included. Proforma invoice from BUROTIC Services, Bamako, Mali for 4 Aptiva computers for a total of CFA F 5 890 316. Total for request = 12340316. Fax of acknowledgement and for information on MaliNet monthly charge as well as names of scientists per site. MAURITANIA * CENTRE NATIONAL D'ELEVAGE ET DE RECHERCHES VETERINAIRES (CNERV) From Dr. Diallo Boubacar Cissé, Directeur (Centre National d'Elevage et de Recherches Veterinaires, BP 167, Nouakchott, République Islamique de Mauritanie, Tel. (222) 2 527 65): letter ref. 00120/D/CNERV dated 26 November 1996. For one site at CNERV Headquarters. Proforma invoice fromHigh Tech Informatique & Télécommunications (BP 5302, Nouakchott, Mauritanie, Tel./Fax (222) 2 550 76) for installation, training and 3 month subscription through CALVAPRO for a total of UM 400 000 or CFA F 1 200 000 (1 ouguiya = 3 CFA F). Fax of acknowledgement. * CENTRE NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE ET DE DEVELOPPEMENT AGRICOLE (CNRADA) From Directeur général (Centre National de Recherche Agronomique et de Développement Agricole (CNRADA), Kaédi; Mauritanie, Fax (222) 2 518 35. Fax of acknowledgement and for clarification as fax was unreadable. NIGER * INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHES AGRONOMIQUES DU NIGER (INRAN) From Dr. Abdoulaye Gouro S., Directeur général (Institut National de recherches Agronomiques du Niger (INRAN), BP 429, Niamey, Niger, Tel 72 27 14 / 72 34 34). For 7 sites at: Tahoua: 1 site Maradi: 1 site Kollo: 1 site Niamey: 4 sites Proforma from ORSTOM (RIO Network) including one month subscription, transport, perdiem and installation for a total of CFA F 2 755 000. Proforma invoice from Ets Seyzakou (BP 13334, Niamey, Niger, Tel/fax 73 55 48) for 2 HP Vectra VL4 DT computers and 8 modems for a total of CFA F 5 260 000. Total for request = CFA F 8 015 000. Fax of acknowledgement. NIGERIA * NATIONAL CEREALS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NCRI) From Dr. S. M. Misari, Director (National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, PMB 8, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria, tel 066-461233/234; Fax/Phone 234-66-461234): Letter dated 2nd December 1996. Request for an expert to assess peculiar problems with respect to Email and Internet. Letter indicating a provider in Lagos and search for an expert to be sent to NCRI. SENEGAL * INSTITUT SÉNÉGALAIS DE RECHERCHE AGRICOLE (ISRA) From Dr. Jacques Faye, Directeur général (Institut Sénégalais de Recherche Agricole, BP 3120, Dakar, Sénégal, Tel. (221) 32 24 26; Fax (221) 32 24 27): Letter dated 4November 1996. ISRA is requesting funding to connect its headquarters and 3 important sites all located in Dakar area to an educational and research network of Universities, Higher educational schools and research institutions for a total of CFA F 32396597 (about US $ 63,522.7). Letter of acknowledgement requesting ISRA to provide a more realistic request focussing on connecting to Internet a majority of its 18 research centers located through out the country. * ECOLE NATIONALE SUPERIEURE D'AGRICULTURE (ENSA) From Mr. Moussa Fall, Directeur (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agriculture, BP A 296, Thiès, Sénégal, Tel. 51 12 57; Fax 51 15 51): Letter ref 00315/MEN/ENSA dated 27 September 1996. For 1 site at ENSA. Proforma invoice from Télécom-Plus (BP 21 100, Dakar, Sénégal) for subscription installation, training and transport) for a total of CFA F 252 000. Proforma invoice from Réalisations Télématiques Internationales - Sénégal (RTI) (BP 3716, Dakar, Sénégal) for an HP VECTRA computer) for a total of CFA F 1 917 070. Letter of acknowledgement. SIERRA LEONE * RICE RESEARCH STATION, ROKUPR From Dr. S. S. Monde, Director (Rice Research Station, Rokupr, PMB 736, Freetown, Sierra Leone): Letter dated 4 December 1996. For 1 site. Proforma invoice from African Technology Holdings Ltd (P.O. Box 473, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tel 232-22-222403; Fax 232-22-223942) for modem, installation and on- site training, annual subscription licence, 3 month average bill, NCR PC system for a total of US $ 2,675.00 * NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL (NARCC) From Dr. Rogers A. D. Jones, Chief Executive (National Agricultural Research Co- Ordinating Council, PMB 1313 Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tel. (232-22) 222794 ; 224708 ; 227091 ; Fax (232-22) 222179 ; (232-22) 224439): Fax ref. NARCC/WARDA/96/10 dated 5 December 1996. For 1 site. Two proforma invoices from Securicom Consultants (P.O. Box 477, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tel (232-22) 229652; Fax (232-22) 226180 or (232-22) 224439) for respectively: USR modem, mailer software configuration, training, and Securicom gateway registration) amounting to US$600.00, and one Acer Pentium computer and HP Laser jet 5L printer amounting to US$3500.00. Total cost US$4100.00 (not included monthly service charge). Letter of acknowledgement and for clarification on clearing and customs duty and information on average cost of 3 to 6 month service charge. TOGO * DIRECTION NATIONALE DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE (DNRA) From Mr. F Adam Directeur (Direction Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique, BP 1163, Lomé-Cacaveli, Togo, Tel. 25 21 48 ; Fax (228) 25 15 59): Letter ref. 637/DNRA dated 25 November 1996. For the following 6 sites: Direction Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique at Lomé-Cacaveli Division de la Documentation etd'Informations Scientifiques et Techniques - Lomé Station IRCC - Kpalimé Station IRCT - Anie Station Régions des Savane - Dapong Station ABUDA - Kara 6 Proforma invoices from Centre d'Assistance de Formation et d'Etude (CAFE) (BP 12 596 Lomé, Togo; Tel. 21 09 75 ; Fax (228) 21 75 06 ; E-mail: cafe@cafe.tg) for 6 Compaq Deskpro 2000 DT P166 computers, 4 EPSON LQ 2170 printers, 6 modems 1932 ZDX V32 BIS TE, one year subscription and 6 month service charge for a total cost of CFA F 15 590 499. Letter of acknowledgement. I will take the opportunity of an ECOWAS meeting to be held in Lome from 12 to 14 February 1997 to discuss with DNRA and CAFE and finalize the proposal. B. NON WARDA MEMBER COUNTRIES BURUNDI No application received so far. CAPE VERDE No application received so far. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC * INSTITUT CENTRAFRICAIN DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE (ICRA) From Dr. Théodore Mianzé, Directeur général (Institut Centrafricain de la Recherche Agronomique, BP 122 Bangui Lakouanga, République Centrafricaine. Tel. (236) 61 67 75 , 61 76 38 ; Fax (236) 61 66 37): Letter ref. 371/ICRA/DG dated 30 November 1996. For 1 site in Brazaville. Proforma invoices from respectively Centrafrique Telecom Plus (Tel 61 44 10 ; 61 44 49) for 6 month flat service charge, connexion, training amounting to CF A F 135 000 and from APIC Photo Service, Département Informatique for USR Modem, Micro Computer UNIKA Pentium and Canon LBP Laser printer amounting to CFA F 1 984 123. Total cost CFA F 2 119 123. Letter of acknowledgement and for additional information on installation cost as Centrafrique Telecom Plus is charging for this if modem purchased with an other company. CONGO * DIRECTION GENERALE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE ET TECHNIQUE (DGRST) From Prof. Maurice Onangan Directeur général (Direction Générale de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique, BP 1499 Brazaville, Congo. Tel. 81 06 07 ; Fax c/o Service Plus Bureautique (242) 821 721): Fax dated 30 October 1996. For the following two sites located in Brazaville Direction Générale de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique. Centre national de la Documentation et de l'Information Scientifique et Technique. 2 proforma invoices from Golden Gate (BP 14652 Brazaville, Congo. Tel (242) 83 51 61 ; Fax (242) 83 51 63 ; E-mail Goldgate@club.internet) for connexion kit, modem 6 month subscription, installation and training, and 1 Micro PC Packard Bell pentium, HP Deskjet printer and UPS for a total cost of CFA F 8 106 901,5. Letter of acknowledgement. EQUATORIAL GUINEA No application received so far. GABON No application received so far. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE No application received so far. ZAIRE No application received so far. C. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS * SECRETARIAT EXECUTIF DE LA CONFERENCE DES RESPONSABLES DE RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE AFRICAINS (CORAF) From Dr. Ndiaga Mbaye, Secrétaire exécutif (CORAF, BP 8237, Dakar-Yoff, Tel (221) 25 55 69 ; Fax (221) 25 55 69): Letter and fax ref. 0563/CORAF dated 25 September 1996. For 1 site. Proforma invoices from respectively INTELECT sarl (BP 11259 Dakar, Sénégal. Tel/Fax  (221) 22 73 74) for Modem, connexion to Internet, training and first month service charge amounting to CFAF390000, and Buhan & Teisseire (BP 119 Dakar, sénégal. Tel (221) 23 39 41 ; fax (221) 23 71 18) amounting to CFA F 1 687 436. Total of request CFA F2 077 436 Letter of acknowledgement and for additional information on 3 to 6 month service charge. * ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) From Mr. Boubacar Ba, Deputy Executive Secretary (Economic Affairs) (Economic Community Of West African States, PMB 12745, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel 2600720-9 ; 2600860-8 ; Fax 2637052 ; 2637675 ; 2600869): Letter ref ECW/REL/010 dated 18 December 1996. For 1 site. Proforma invoice from Sistems Worldwide Limited (SWL) (PO Box 55279 Falamo, Ikoyi, lagos. Tel 01-2668307, 2641015 : Fax 2668307 ; E-mail 1022555,232@compuserve.com) for Annual Network Subscription, Monthly communication sur-charges (limited), ISP(Compuserve) User ID, Desktop Pentium Computer, modem, and training for a total in Naira  420 000 and US $ 10. Letter of acknowledgement and requesting for a proforma invoice in US $ including 3 to 6 month service charge. * WARDA SAHEL IRRIGATED RICE RESEARCH PROGRAM From Dr. K. Miezan, Program Leader (WARDA Sahel Irrigated Rice Research Program, BP 96 Saint-Louis, Senegal. Tel (221) 62 64 93 ; Fax (221) 61 14 91 ; E-mail: WARDA- Sahel@cgnet.com): Letter dated 2nd October 1996. For 1 site. Proforma invoices from respectively Telecom-Plus (BP 21 100 Dakar, Sénégal. Tel (221) 23 46 30 ; 23 46 34 ; Fax (221) 23 46 32) for subscription to Internet, training and modem amounting to CFA F 250 000, and Commercialisation au sénégal (COSEN) (BP 5365 Fann-Dakar. Tel (221) 27 91 50 ; 27 40 94 ; Fax (221) 27 31 00) for a computer and a printer amounting to CFA F 3 050 000. Letter of acknowledgement and requesting for a proforma invoice including 3 to 6 month service charge. D. CONDITIONS In order to benefit from the project, research institution will have to commit themselves to: ensure that all scientists - and particularly scientists members of the USAID- funded research networks, CORAF networks, and WARDA Research Task Forces and Working Groups - have free access to the system (Internet and/or electronic mail) whether the computers are networked or not. Furthermore, this should impede in no way the normal monitoring and control by the institution of its communications costs. If the computers are not networked, and that, for example, only one work station is connected (i.e. a centrally-managed electronic mail terminal), the institution will endeavor to put in place an efficient mechanism that will allow scientists to easily access Internet and be able to send and to receive electronic mail. cover all expenses related to the smooth operation of the system for sustainability purposes, after project funds made available to them are spent. sign and return to the Africalink Coordinator at WARDA's Headquarters - at the receipt of the allocated funds - a form acknowledging receipt of the funds and accepting the conditions stated above.

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  What's New : FOIA Requests : Privacy Policy : Email This Page : Plug-ins : FAQs : Help Desk : Contact Us : Site Map Last Updated on: January 23, 2003