contribution to the UAF shall be provided by the GoL, all telecommunications and ICT Service Providers and domestic and international private organizations. An account at an approved commercial bank shall be established to house and distribute the funds for development of telecommunications and ICT networks to designated universal access communities. All licensed telecommunications and ICT service providers shall be assessed UAF fees. The fee shall range from half of one percent (0.5%) to a maximum of two percent (2%) of the annual gross revenues of each licensed operator. The GoL shall make annual contributions to the fund through the national budget. The administrators of the fund shall encourage donations and contributions from local and international private organizations. Alternatives such as “pay or play” to fulfill universal access obligations shall also be considered. All licensed operators shall be eligible to obtain financing from the UAF, based on rules and procedures established by the Universal Access Governing Board. PART V 5.0 ICT GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES ICT Policy, Strategies and E-Functions The National ICT Policy shall stimulate the processes towards meeting the critical needs for investing in the social infrastructure to promote socio-economic development. It shall support ECOWAS ICT regional programs that seek to create competition, accessibility, equitability, transparency as well as safeguard the development of the sector. The ICT program also seeks to pursue the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as well as other global deliverables. 5.1 Government and Global Deliverable Objectives: WSIS and MDG ICT has been recognized as one of the critical tools to achieve national transformation and development process. Investing in education, health and other socio-economic development programs shall yield sustainable results using ICT as a vehicle towards achieving those objectives. ICT’s indispensable role in making World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) a reality depends on national plan and programs. 5.2 Pursuing World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) as a Priority Objective Achievement of the Liberia and World Summit Information Society goals are a critical priority. The GoL’s agenda to connect people, places and institutions is in support of World Summit on Information Society objectives, WSIS, seeks to bridge the digital divide and accelerate access to services. These include prioritizing our national programs to: a. b. c. d. e. f. Connect towns and villages with ICT and establish community access points. Connect public libraries, culture centers, museums, post offices and archives with ICT. Connect hospitals and health centers with ICT. Connect all central and local government departments and establish websites. Adapt all primary and secondary schools curriculum to meet global objectives. Meet ECOWAS standard access criteria of 500 persons per “bundled service” in member countries. 30