The four priority areas identified are good governance, digital transformation of government, customer service improvement, and public administration/human resource management.

About $3.9 million will be provided in the first year as the government tries to usher in a new era of governance.

A post-Cabinet document about its recent decision states that the funding sources will be considered in the 2022 budget estimates as well as subsequent budget estimates; and if required, supplementary funding.

Additionally, Cabinet decided that the Deputy Governor’s Office will be responsible for instructing the required ministries/departments on how to take action on the initiatives outlined.

The budget address

During the annual budget presentation on Thursday, November 11, Premier Andrew Fahie had said his government would be looking to further strengthen the public service and good governance.

“As we continue to develop the economy and as we push forward with the digital economy and e-Government, we have seen this House of Assembly pass many pieces of legislation to usher in the digital economy in this country. Reliable and secure telecommunication is essential for enhancing the convenience and efficiency of doing business with Government offices and agencies,” the Premier said.

“A number of initiatives are in train to improve and broaden the use of digital technology in government operations and government services. And may I state very clearly that in the next few months, you will be able to stay on your bed in Jost Van Dyke, in Anegada, in Virgin Gorda or even Tortola, and use your smartphone and do business with Government through the digital economy that this Government has ushered in and the funds in the Budget to develop it this year,” Fahie added.

Gov’t operations being worked on

In his presentation, the Finance Minister said that the number of government operations and services being worked on to include, “upgrade of the government WAN and LAN infrastructure to improve network connectivity following damage from the 2017 hurricanes, [and] work on building additional capacity to support business continuity of government operations in the event of any major threats is planned for 2022”.

Fahie further said there will be an implementation of document management systems in various statutory commissions as well as the Inland Revenue Department upgrading its information technology systems to improve the efficiency in collections.

The Premier said work has already started on this and some modules will be rolled out in 2022 and the full system should be implemented before the end of 2023.