The programme, anchored by a 2011-2016 strategy, involves "moving all government services online, significantly improving public sector service delivery and speeding up ICT usage in the country". Besides investment in ICT infrastructure and training, the programme encompasses legislative changes in order to move government towards a paperless age.The 2013-2014 budget estimates made available this week indicate that a Presidential Directive last year ordered that P980 million be mobilised for the phased implementation of the National e-Government Strategy. Out of this, P274 million has been earmarked for various developments in pursuit of the strategy in 2013-2014.
"The implementation of the strategy offers an opportunity for the country to make use of information available on line to improve quality of lives, whereby local business is globally connected and contributes to economic development through innovation," reads a note accompanying the budget estimates.Expenditure for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 financial years has not been finalised yet, according to the estimates. The first phase of the strategy, ending in 2013-2014, is expected to cost P463.8 million.On Monday, Finance Minister, Kenneth Matambo said the e-government programme was part of a raft of service delivery initiatives aimed at re-engineering and simplifying procedures and regulations.However, BOCCIM executive director, Maria Machailo-Ellis said Matambo's pronouncements have not 'gone far enough'.
"My disappointment is with the lack of emphasis on e-government," she told BusinessWeek outside Parliament buildings."The minister spoke about the need for Botswana to be more competitive and lever on regional connections," she said."All the signs in government do not say it is looking towards creating a robust ICT based administration as far as dealing with business is concerned. When we talk about a conducive environment or the ease of doing business, it is facilitated by that."Should the National e-Government Strategy's objectives be realised, Batswana will be able to access more than 300 services through the government portal, with the delivery focused on clients' needs rather than government structure.
Services will include application for visas, building permits, patents or trademarks, replacement of birth certificates, vehicle licensing, company registration and requests for moving livestock. Other services are applications for a wide range of pensions, grants and benefits and payment of bills and taxes.In addition, the strategy envisions the establishment of self-serve e-government kiosks in large shopping malls, the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and major borders for access to online government services.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Mbongeni Mguni
Quelle/Source: Mmegi Online, 08.02.2013
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