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eGovernment Forschung seit 2001 | eGovernment Research since 2001

One instrument that can be used to achieve efficiency at the Local Government level is the electronic government otherwise known as e-government

It refers to the use of an internet technology platform for information exchange, services provision and interaction among citizens, businesses, and government institutions, and for making government more accountable, transparent and effective.

Objectives of e-Government

The objectives of e-Government include; to replace traditional governance with electronic governance; to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Local Government Administration thereby improving government fiscal prudence and budget performance, to ease accessibility of government information and services for citizens, and other government organizations, and to maximize productivity and quality. Other include, to promote good governance, to develop ICT competence among government employees, to Manage ICT resources in sustainable manner, to reduce cost of service delivery, and to eliminate waste.

There are stages of e-Government: According to a study carried out by The World Bank in 2002, the following stages of e-Government were identified.

One is to use ICT to expand access to Government information. Government generate a lot of information which is needed by the citizen. Policies and monthly budget must be published.

Another is to use e-government to interact. Interactive e-Government involves two-way communications, starting with basic functions like email contact information for government officials or feedback forms that allow users to submit comments on legislative or policy proposals.

Meanwhile, e-Government allows citizens to obtain government services or transact business with the government online. A transact website offers a direct link to government services, available at any time. Transact sites can enhance productivity in both the public and private sector by making processes that require government assistance or approval simpler, faster, and cheaper.

The Open Local Government Portal (OLGP) was introduced to Rivers State in 2008. So far, twenty-three portals have been created for the 23 LGA’s in Rivers State.

The portal is a veritable vehicle for delivering the services and benefits of e-governance. Specifically, it is an internet technology with open access to everyone.

This platform has the ability to reach out to citizens and businesses. It is a tool for Government to use to bring about good governance.

In ever local Government every information should be published on the portal for citizens to view and respond accordingly. Budgets, projects and local Government by-laws also need to be published.

Even though the portal is created and there is availability of internet access, there is no on-line interaction between government and the people. Even amongst government officials, no two-way communication is recorded.

Government services should be available on-line. For example, it citizens want to build in PHALGA, land registration (non-financial) and actual paying for permit (financial transactions) should be done on-line. In this case the e-solution will be more robust and stable enough to guarantee security, reliability and data integrity.

All Government services in all the local government areas need to be able to provide a single point of interaction. All interaction between Businesses, Government and citizens should be done on the portal. Permits, registration, directory services, public information records etc. should be available on-line. If two citizens for example, want to get married, every information should be available on portal. Registration, on-line payment, Booking of appointment for marriage could be done on-line.

However, in the quest to drive e-Government in Rivers State several challenges have been identified. These include; Inadequate people’s support occasioned by the wrong perception whereby computerization is seen more as a publicity tool, a fad or fashion, rather than for any real purpose, mindset of government employees i.e the fear of losing extra income, infrastructure, power and communication problems, low level of education on the benefits of e-Government by both the Government and the governed. Others include Attitudes in terms of resistance to change, lack of Training Progammes especially management skills, lack of Resources, Absences of systematic, appropriate, flexible and stable legal framework to support the ICT implementation, and Negative perception of citizens and business community towards government.

The following factors constitute the essential requirements for driving an effective e-Government in Rivers State. We need to conduct a study in order to asses the situation in the state in relation to e-Government related activities, available infrastructure and technical support, and as well, Develop e-Government policies and strategies. So also, Political and administrative patronage is needed at the highest level, while we emphasise the need for capacity building.

Meanwhile, there is need for e-Government to keep pace with law, while law keeps pace with technology. At the same time, there is need for interoperable framework and standards up till local levels, while government sets up State Centre for Good Governance.

To actualize good governance therefore, local governments must evolve mass friendly and people oriented tools and methodology.

There is no doubt that e-Government is a big challenge not only to federal and state governments but also to local governments.

The transformation required for the delivery of e-Government service is challenging and far reaching, but Government at all levels and particularly at the Local Government level must act smartly and innovatively for the challenges to be met.

If all tiers of Government collaborate in a concerted manner, showing the will, zeal and commitment needed to transit to e-Government, then such a transition will be smoother, faster and amazingly successful than anticipated, while balancing the delivery of dividends of good governance with the overall aspirations of its citizenry.

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Autor(en)/Author(s): Kaine Chinwah

Quelle/Source: The Tide, 20.04.2016

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