Government wants ministries devote percentage of budget to ICTs

The Government says it is the responsibility of each ministry to incorporate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into its own planning and operations.

Speaking at the opening of the Fourth Meeting of the National ICT Development Committee on behalf of the Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, at The Melanesian Hotel in Port Vila Thursday morning, Deputy and Acting Prime Minister, Ham Lini, said education and health are the top two sectors identified for ICT improvement under the National ICT Policy.

But he added that every ministry and agency should be developing an “ICT vision for the future” in its own area of expertise.

“As stated in the National ICT Policy, each ministry and government or donor project from now on, must devote a reasonable percentage of its project and normal budgets to ICTs, as an enabler of success. The guideline for “reasonable” is in the range of 3 to 5 percent, according to the policy,” Acting PM Lini said.

He added that the Office of the Prime Minister is directing the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to review budget and project submissions to ensure that this Policy is implemented.

“It is important that this budget percentage be oriented mainly at improving the situation of the target audience in each sector, increasing ‘e-democracy’ not just on internal reporting systems.”

Given the importance of this policy, Lini said ICTs can dramatically improve government efficiency, outreach to citizens, and input from citizens, businesses and NGOs. He added that access to ICTs can improve citizens’ lives through better education, improved health care, more trade, more e-commerce, and more profitable business.