Stakeholders from different sectors converged recently at the Paradise Suites Hotel for a two day scrutiny of the E-Government project proposal documents.
UNDP assisted the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure (MOICI) to develop a full blow e-Government project proposal by hiring a local consultant.
The consultant submitted the draft project proposal for consideration, which the stakeholders validated and the draft project proposal finalised.
Speaking at the opening of the validation, Yankuba Touray, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information Communication, expressed delight and thanked UNDP Gambia country office for paving the way to develop this critical project proposal.
Knowing the importance of this document, the UNDP approved the inclusion of this activity in its project entitled Support to National E Government Strategy, which is the implementing agency.
The said document was comprehensively developed through the vast experience and expertise of the UNECA consultants with inputs from the Gambian stakeholders.
Sirra Ndow, representing UNDP Resident Coordinator, said these initiatives have been conducted in partnership with the Government of The Gambia, MOICI and donor agencies such as the Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, the UNECA, UNDP, and the private sector.
Since 2009 recognizing the importance of ICT in the socioeconomic development of the country and the pivotal role E-Governance can play in the attainment of the MDG based PRSPII, the UNDP supported MOICI to implement a project with prioritised interventions to upgrade the MOICI infrastructure to enhance its leadership and coordinating role in the formulation and implementation of E-Government initiatives.
She said the project has contributed in assisting government to improve efficiency in its internal government operations and public service delivery. It also allows government to provide for open and transparent processes as well as greater citizen participation and involvement.
She added that the e-government implementation strategy and Action Plan served as the basis for the development of the e-Government program 2010; 2015.
"The full blown project proposal aims to provide the basis for all government ICT related interventions, with the objectives of achieving effectiveness, increased productivity and cost efficiency. It comprises our four phases proposed strategies to be pursued and management arrangements, as well as provides a monitoring and evaluation framework," she said.
She finally urged the participants to critically scrutinize the document and add value to it and to make substantive recommendations to ensure the finalization of the document.
She also appealed to the government, the donor community and the private sector to give the project utmost priority to ensure the successful implementation of its finalized document.
Ebrima Jobe, the director of ICT, chaired the event.
