The participants concluded that in order to ensure a successful e-governance applications, legislative, administrative technical and human aspects were to be addressed. They recognised the problems that faced the adoption of the e-government which included electronic illiteracy, the digital divide, weak information and communication infrastructures, inadequate cyber laws and regulations and lack of awareness of the benefits of the e-governance.
The forum recommended that a realistic strategy for the e-governance was to be formulated at the national level along with a working plan by a balanced team representing all specialisations.
The strategy is to: define the priorities, determine the provision of the required financial resources, ensure support of the senior level of the administration and the provision of information and communication infrastructures, restructure the government bodies and revise laws and regulations.
The forum also recommended encouraging the use of information and communications technology by individuals and groups and the establishment of cyber centres near population centres, post offices, mosques, public parks and Internet cafes.
The participants recommended that partnership was to be enhanced between the public and private sectors, the civil society organisations and all members of the community to assess the cultural and social changes that result from electronic applications.
The participants recommended, among other things, the formation of a working team from information technology officials in Arab towns and public and private sector experts to oversee transformation to the e-governance in the Arab towns. The participants hoped Muscat Municipality would coordinate with Arab towns to support the team.
Abdullah bin Abbas said some recommendations made at the forum would be implemented gradually and in conformity with the Sultanate’s plans.
In statements after the conclusion of the symposium, he stressed the e-governance system ensured that delivery of the public services to citizens’ was less bureaucratic, speedy, transparent and cheap.
He said e-governance was inevitable and the municipality officials were looking forward to performing transactions online in order to render the best services to the citizens.
Meanwhile, Nidhal Bargas Al Hadeed, mayor of Greater Amman in Jordan; Jasim Mohammed Darwish, secretary-general of municipalities in the United Arab Emirates; and Abdul Aziz Yousef Al Adasani, secretary-general of Arab cities organisation, left here yesterday after taking part in the deliberations of the e-governance forum.
They were seen off by Abdullah bin Abbas and other municipality officials.
Quelle: Times of Oman, 13.05.2003
