Electronic/Mobile Government in Africa: Progress Made and Challenges Ahead

http://www.unpan.org/emgkr_africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 17-19 February 2009

Ebrima D. Jobe, Director ICT,

Department of State for Communications and Information Technology, The Gambia

E-GovernmentPresentation Outline

• The Gambia e-Government Strategy• Public Service Commission website• Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS)• Official Government Web Portal (OGWP) – The Gambia• Conclusion

The Strategy

• Request by Government of The Gambia to ECA for Support• Memorandum of Understanding between ECA• National Coordinating Committee

Office Of The PresidentDOSCITDOSFEAGAMTELSPACOInternational Consultant

• Baseline Study

The Strategy

• National Consultation• Workshop (Representative from all Sectors)• Outline of Strategy framework• National Policy framework (PRSP/Vision 2020)• Identified priority Sectors• Draft National e-Government Strategy (2003)

[ Cabinet endorsement for implementation]

The Strategy

FRAMEWORK

• ICT Equipment and Infrastructure• Network, IT Security and Legal Framework• Web Development, Portals / Government-Public Interface,

Applications• ICT HRD and Training

Public Service Commission Web Site

• Mandated by Law to appoint to offices Public/Civil Servants• Responsibilities

Overall Management an effective Public ServiceReview General orders and Service regulationsSetting Standard requirements in to the Civil ServiceSubmission of Annual Reports to the National Assembly

• Job vacancies in The Gambia Civil Service• Application forms for the Civil Service• Regulations, Acts and Rules of Civil Service• Online Application of Jobs in the Service – www.psc.gov.gm

IFMIS

• (WB Loan) Implementation commenced in October 2005• Objective:

- Increase ability to undertake control and monitoring of expenditure and receipts in Government Departments

- Increase ability to access information on financial andoperational performance

- to increase ability to access information on Government’s cash position and Information on Economic performance

- Increase ability to demonstrate accountability to donorsand the public

IFMIS

• Technical Infrastructure- IFMIS phase I implemented at a primary site hosting the

centralized database system and six remote sites including the data recovery site

- Sites with LAN; WAN links remote sites to primary data centre at the Directorate of Treasury

- Connectivity through fibre optic and WIMAX technologies- Online network monitoring tools and network securityenable software

IFMIS

• Staff Structure- Project Manager- Financial Management Advisor- Financial Management Specialists- IFMIS Accountants- Data Center Manager- Network Administrator- Database Administrator- IT Support Staff

IFMIS

• Governance Structure- IFMIS Leader PS/DOSFEA- Steering committee- Project Management team- Project Manager- Implementation workgroups

Training, capacity building, Comm. and Change Mgt.Audit and security ICT Implementation and site preparation/supportApplication Implementation TeamProcurement and Contracts Mgt.

IFMIS

• KEY Functional areas- Budget formulation and Execution- Civil Service Payroll Administration - Financial reporting and Decision Support- Cash and expenditure Management- Government requisition and Purchasing- Taxation and revenue accounting

- Derives - Enhancing service delivery to Stakeholders- Reduce cost- Improve operational effectiveness in the Directorate

IFMIS

• Phase I (Go live 3rd January 2007- under consolidation)- DOSFEA- Directorate of National Treasury- DOSBSE- The Gambia Revenue Authority- Personnel Management Office- National Audit Office

• Phase II (Roll-out to 21 Departments of States (Ministries)

IFMIS

• Phase Two Program Include:- Inventory and Fixed assets modules- Interface with Debt Management, GAMTAX, Asycuda and

Central Bank System- HR Modules – Recruitment Mgt. Training, Performance

Assessment etc,- Other Decision support systems in Financial & Economic Mgt. - Medium Term Expenditure Framework – Budgeting- Open accounts with Commercial Banks in rural areas

to avoid cash transportation to sub-treasuries- Upgrade application for access by Embassies(All culminate to improve Public Resource & Expenditure Mgt.)

Official Government Web Portal (OGWP)

• Objectives• to regulate, correct, organize and manage the existing web

addresses (URLs) and websites that published government-related information;

• to develop a web portal that will include relevant information and links to existing and planned government websites;

• to publish a specific set of information in order to reduce the number of queries from the public;

• to outsource the design and development of web portal based on envisioned design elements (e.g. basic content, template, maximum of 3 clicks to get what you are looking for, etc.);

• to implement and monitor roll-out;• to launch and market the e-government portal.

OGWP

• to provide a platform that will:– promote civic engagement by enabling the public to interact and

air their views in the right forum– make the government more accountable by making its

operations more transparent and thus reducing the opportunities for corruption;

– provide development opportunities, such as: livelihood and employment, entrepreneurship, trainings, etc.

OGWP

Benefits• The project is expected to provide the following benefits during its

project implementation:• Greater coordination between and among government data

providers in order to correct discrepancies and eliminate redundancies of data and information.

• Reduction in process time. With the structured organization of information, citizens and business firms can get information or service from a specific agency faster.

• Highest availability and accessibility of quality government information

• Facilitate transparency and accountability• Reduction on administrative burdens• Greater public awareness about the activities, services, programs of

the government and improved service levels

OGWP

• Phase I – Publish – Broadening Access to Government Information.

• General Information of Gambia – this will include Gambian map, history, flag and anthem, Gambian presidents, Constitution and by-laws, and other general information about Gambia.

• Office of the President – Vital information about the office of the President including his message and speeches, declaration, laws and policies, and activities.

• Parliament Information - this include profile of the parliament members, status of draft bills/laws, database of approved bills,parliament programs and activities.

• Government Information –will contain government directory and links of all department of states and other line agencies

• Local Government Units – will contain some basic information about the regions, cities and other local government units and its officials

OGWP

• News – will contain news features, headline news and current events around the world and brief news of the local events contributed by various local media in Gambia.

• For Citizens – will include vital information and “HOWTOs” for Gambian citizens such as: birth and death registration, voter’s registration, citizen’s permit, national ID application, passport application, job opportunities, etc.

• For Businesses & NGOs - will include vital information and “HOWTOs” for business firms, businessmen, entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations such as: business permits, licenses and taxes, wage rate, laws & regulations and other business services.

• For Government Employees - will include vital information and “HOWTOs” for government employees such benefits and pay, loans, government jobs, scholarships, health insurance & services, travel, etc.

OGWP

• Directory of Services – will include links and useful information about the country’s activities and services such as hospitals, airlines, telephone & internet, taxis & buses, radio stations, tvchannels, shopping centers, tourist destinations, among others

• Feedback – will allow the public to post their queries, request, comments and suggestions on the web

• Contact Information – will include telephone numbers, postal addresses, e-mails, fax numbers of police stations, fire stations, medical centers, etc. This will also include the contact information of the web portal office.

• Links – will include links to other multi-national agencies, donors, International NGOs, other institutions and organizations in the Gambia.

• For Non-Residents/Visitors – will include information and “HOWTOs” on tourism, visa, health advisory, education, business opportunities, etc.

OGWP

• Phase II – Interact – Increasing Public Participation in Government Decision-Making.

• Downloadable Official Government Forms and Documents • Feedback • The Parliamentary • Citizens/Government Forum • Streaming Video/Multimedia

OGWP

• Phase III – Transact – Making Government Services Available Online. – On-line driver’s license application– On-line auction of government properties– E-Procurement system– On-line payment of basic services such as electricity, water and

telephone– On-line renewal of ID cards & passports– On-line tax assessment, among others – WWW.thegambia.gov.gm

OGWP

• COSTS: UNDP SUPPORT• $ 32,065.00• Phase II - $ 17,686.00• Phase III - $135,300.00• TOTAL - $185,051.00

• 2009 – 2012• Co-ordinated at The Directorate of ICT in DOSCIIT

Conclusion

• NICI Policy• E-Government Strategy• Draft ICT Bill• Scan-ICT www.scanict-gbos.gov.gm

On-going Projects include:@doscit.gov.gme-Learning e-Health Multi-Purpose ICT CentersTechnology ParkImplementation Plans of the NICI

Conclusion

• IN IMPLEMENTING E-GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES,

THINK BIGSTART SMALL

ANDSCALE-UP

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION