Can you envision a Trinidad and Tobago where a citizen can have the ease of applying for everyday documents and government services such as a birth certificates or even a driver’s permit and even conducting activities such as registering a business from their armchairs?
Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis and Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union Ms. Bernadette Lewis discuss the 21st Century Government Initiative.
This was the vision of the General Secretary, Ms. Bernadette Lewis and representatives of the Caribbean Telecommunication Union (CTU) when they met with Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis at her office on February 2, 2018. The CTU presented the benefits of Government becoming fully connected via a 21st Century Government Initiative. Ms. Lewis presented the possibility of the Trinidad and Tobago Government being the champion of this 21st Century Government Initiative, fostering unity and connectivity amongst the 20 CARICOM Nations that are members of the Union. The main goal of 21st Century Government, is to accelerate government and public service transformation and thereby strengthen economic competitiveness and promote sustainable development.
This ICT driven model aims to promote a unified people first system with everything Government related at the users’ fingertips. According to the CTU, governments who sign on to this system will be characterised by citizen-centric, seamless, open, interactive and efficient processes and will make effective use of information and communication technologies to deliver services to citizens, as well as internal and external clients.
The context of Minister Regis’ meeting with the CTU is in tangent with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Development Strategy, VISION 2030’s Information Communication Technology Goals which envisions a future where Trinidad and Tobago will have a modern and well-maintained ICT system. The goal aims to provide citizens with high speed, affordable broadband connectivity, have a robust and reliable ICT infrastructure that will boost national transportation and public utility systems. It is expected that with this robust ICT system there will be enhanced integration of ICTs into education and business development and allow for greater use of technology in homes.
If adapted the 21st Century Governance initiative poses to be a major milestone on the path to Vision 2030’s goal of Trinidad and Tobago having a modern and well-maintained ICT system.