E-governance the latest buzz

THE draft of the Namibian Public Service’s e-governance policy was the focus of a workshop organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in Windhoek last week.

The three-day workshop brought together Government officials and representatives from the private sector to discuss e-governance – the use of electronic means to provide services to the public. The objective of the e-governance policy is to provide guidelines for an Internet-based system that would provide Namibians access to information about political processes and Government services.It also seeks to encourage active citizen participation by soliciting people’s views and representing them in all forums where public opinion is essential.It would also simplify people’s interaction with government and promises to provide speedy, transparent, accountable, efficient and effective processes for government administration.The draft policy identifies essential elements that need consideration.”Training is an essential element in conceiving, implementing and maintaining the e-governance project,” it states.The skills required include project management, understanding of business and procurement processes, end-user skills as well as high-level Information Technology skills.Experiences from other countries were widely utilised in drafting the policy and the framework was found to be in line with other e-governance policies elsewhere.The Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Steve Katjiuanjo, said in his closing remarks that it was his sincere hope that participants would take ideas espoused during the workshop and use them in finalising the E-Governance Policy and Implementation Plan.”I am of the opinion that we as public sector managers are able to diagnose our environment and develop strategies to plan and direct change in line with Vision 2030’s objectives to transform Namibia into an innovative, knowledge-based society supported by a dynamic, responsive and highly effective ICT sector governed by a comprehensive e-governance policy,” Katjiuanjo said.- NampaThe objective of the e-governance policy is to provide guidelines for an Internet-based system that would provide Namibians access to information about political processes and Government services.It also seeks to encourage active citizen participation by soliciting people’s views and representing them in all forums where public opinion is essential.It would also simplify people’s interaction with government and promises to provide speedy, transparent, accountable, efficient and effective processes for government administration.The draft policy identifies essential elements that need consideration.”Training is an essential element in conceiving, implementing and maintaining the e-governance project,” it states.The skills required include project management, understanding of business and procurement processes, end-user skills as well as high-level Information Technology skills.Experiences from other countries were widely utilised in drafting the policy and the framework was found to be in line with other e-governance policies elsewhere.The Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Steve Katjiuanjo, said in his closing remarks that it was his sincere hope that participants would take ideas espoused during the workshop and use them in finalising the E-Governance Policy and Implementation Plan.”I am of the opinion that we as public sector managers are able to diagnose our environment and develop strategies to plan and direct change in line with Vision 2030’s objectives to transform Namibia into an innovative, knowledge-based society supported by a dynamic, responsive and highly effective ICT sector governed by a comprehensive e-governance policy,” Katjiuanjo said.- Nampa