The Division of Public Sector Modernization engaged public sector employees in a four-day exercise, as part of efforts to improve the island’s Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) landscape. Close to eighty public sector officers, comprising ICT professionals, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent secretaries and other Heads of departments, converged at the Cocoa Palm Hotel, from the 25th to the 28th of November, to review the 2013-2018 National ICT Policy and Sectoral Strategy. 

Addressing participants, Permanent Secretary in the Department of the Public Service, Ms. Peggy- Ann Soudatt, said, “while ICT is not a panacea for all our  problems, it undoubtedly provides a collection of critical tools,  necessary to drive Saint Lucia’s development agenda. Over the last few months, we witness government’s agenda to use ICT to transform goods and services in the public sector, with significant initiatives such as e-filing and e-payment of taxes. A few months ago we launch the Vital Ware System at the Civil Status Registry, and only a few days ago, we witness the unveiling of the DigiGov Project which will impact 154 services across 13 agencies, over a 3-year period.” 

Ms. Soudatt added that the Department of the Public Service was working assiduously with the consultants CrimsonLogic in achieving this significant milestone.

Key to the National ICT Policy and Sectoral Strategy is its vision to improve the quality of life for all Saint Lucians.  It focuses on some core areas such as:  education, health, business, infrastructure, community development and social services, agriculture, national security, government and tourism.

The Division of Public Sector Modernization (DPSM), has responsibility to drive several of the government’s ICT initiatives and programmes, and according to the DPSM’s Acting Director Mr. Marlon Narcisse, the review of the  National ICT Policy and Strategy was necessary as it served to provide direction on transforming Saint Lucia’s ICT potential into real tangible benefits for the people. 

“The policy provides the appropriate institutional regulatory environment so that persons have the protection that is required so that they have the confidence in moving into this digital age.  One of the proposals is to have a 15-year development road map that we can all follow through and obviously every five years you do some sort of review to ensure you are moving in the right direction,”  Narcisse said.

Very critical to the ICT development road map, he added, is its ability to show how ICT can cut across all sectors for national development.  

The Department of the Public Service secured the services of Ernest & Young Services Limited to assist with the review of the National ICT Policy and Sectoral Strategy refresh plan and to facilitate a series of consultative workshops.