Details of a draft plan by the government of Papua New Guinea to digitize all public services in the country have been released for consultation by relevant stakeholders.
According in order to an announcement from the Secretary of the Department of Information and Communication technology, Steven Matainaho, the plan which will require increased use of digital identity and biometrics, covers the period 2023-2027 and the consultations will run till August 10, 2022.
The 47-page draft document presents the purpose of the program, its goals, program items to be delivered and their timelines, investments and delivery mechanisms, as well as how the particular digital authorities plan will certainly be monitored and evaluated.
Among other issues, the Digital Government Plan 2023-2027 calls with regard to coordinated efforts in the deployment of “ONE biometric or digital technology” for all agencies to use regarding identity service-related purposes, including for e-voting rollout.
The particular plan, which is hinged on the ICT Roadmap of 2018, the Papua New Guinea Digital Transformation Plan associated with 2020 as well as the Digital Authorities Act of 2022, seeks to completely digitize plus automate almost all government systems and processes while extending penetration associated with telecommunication coverage to reach about 90 percent from the population by 2027.
Specifically, the particular plan seeks to enable people have access to simple, fast and clear solutions; ensure transparent and efficient government; increase government revenue generation through the uptake of small plus medium sized enterprises and direct foreign investments, plus grow the digital economy, the release outlines.
As the federal government indicates, the particular move to digitize all govt services will also help meet some of the objectives of the country’s Development Strategic Plan of 2030, and may ensure an effective and coordinated whole-of-government delivery associated with public services.
After the public consultation, the set up plan can then be submitted to the Public Service ICT Steering Committee for its vetting.
The government also notes it has set aside 283 million Papua New Guinean Kinas (approximately US$80. 3 million) intended for digital identification and related investments in the 2021 National Budget, and PGK780 million ($221. 4 million) for biometrics and registration activities from the National Statistics Office, the particular National Identity Project, and the PNG Electoral Commission over the past decade.
Meanwhile, a call for feedback papers offers also been launched to get views plus comments aimed at helping the government strengthen and improve on certain aspects of the plan before its implementation.
Last year, a research fellow advised the particular Papua Brand new Guinea authorities against using biometrics pertaining to voting as yet, highlighting a number of factors which could hinder the effective application of such technology meant for national polls.
Article Topics
biometrics | digital economic climate | digital identity | government providers | identity management | Papua New Guinea
