During the 2011/2012 Budget communication, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced the implementation of an Information Technology Cadet Programme which will train 10 students.
Initial components of the e-Government scheme are set to launch in less than two months.
These include: a new Department of Information Technology; a revamped government website; and seven online government services.
In July, customer service, payment inquiries, and drivers licence renewals will become online services. Bahamians will also be able to pay annual business licence fees, real property taxes and fix penalty notices via the internet.
"We are aiming to both transform the public service by improving efficiency and productivity and improve our ranking in respect to ease of doing business," Mr Ingraham said, "thereby promoting entrepreneurship and making our country more attractive to foreign investors."
Envisioning a public service that could be engaged at any time, from anywhere, the government unveiled its plans to revitalise the sector last November.
The initiative was launched under the guidance of IDA International - a subsidiary of IDA Singapore, the government agency dedicated to guiding Singapore's vision for economic growth through the information and communications industry.
Singapore began with an estimated $966 million GDP at independence in 1965, and after successive ICT plans, boasted an estimated $235.7 billion GDP in 2010.
The government says the successful implementation of e-Government is expected to engender an efficient and responsive government, with increased transparency through equal opportunity to government services and contracts.
An integrated public service sector, armed with functional information technology tools, promises an education sector where online classes and video conferences are the norm, health services that can be accessed and managed remotely, an e-Commerce marketplace for local businesses, a transparent financial services sector and an improved justice system.
Challenges
After six-month-long study, IDA International produced a list of challenges stemming from the state of online services, including the limited automation and to lack transactional services. Core inefficiencies were also found in the government's vision and strategy, organisation and capacity for information technology.
With recommendations in hand, the government assigned chief information officers to all ministries and departments with the charge to lead ICT projects and reengineering efforts.
The officers are empowered to act as watchdogs, ensuring compliance with new policies, and their experiences will be used to affect further planning, the government said.
In yesterday's presentation, Mr Ingraham announced that the DIT would head the e-Government agenda, controlling its budget; managing the infrastructure and assets, ensuring its continuity, including in terms of disaster recovery.
The department will also be responsible for providing ICT support and solutions to improve the delivery of all government services; and training and capacity development for public servants.
Mr Ingraham said: "No government will be left behind as we harness the value of our information technology dollars, and focus our efforts in making government the catalyst for ICT development in the Bahamas."
"We will move in one direction," Mr Ingraham added, "as one unified force, to improve the public service and bring efficiency and transparency to government processes."
Additional online services expected to come on stream in the 2011/2012 fiscal year include: application for new and renewal work permits, payment of customs duties, police records, passport applications and post office box rentals.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Ava Turnquest
Quelle/Source: The Tribune, 26.05.2011
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