Nov 27 - E-Government Programme to Allow For Online Access to Government Departments
In a report documenting the progress made on commitments spoken about during the 2012 Joint Ministerial Council, which sees Ministers from both the UK and it’s Overseas Territories meet to discuss Government developments, the Gibraltar Government has insisted that we will shortly see the launch of it’s e-Government manifesto commitment.
The document notes that e-Gov has already seen developments made to the Government’s IT and Logistics Department, though the growth of its technical staff complement, its procurement of hardware and software systems and its capacity to contract expert advice from leading consultants.
The initial stage of the e-Gov platform will see members of the public fill in and submit tax forms online, with other departments soon to follow. The report goes on to say that, ‘all matters related to motor vehicles will immediately be available, from booking MOT appointments (ending lengthy queuing) to booking driving tests, theory tests, checking vehicle details etc. Law enforcement will also benefit with bespoke apps having been developed for officers to be able to check all vehicle insurance details on Android mobile devices.’
The Government claims that they have committed to increasing digital interaction between the public and official bodies and services, within the next 18 months. They add that much has already been achieved on this front. The administration hopes to integrate institutional social media accounts into the new Government website, which already regularly publishes bills, laws and press releases.
Further to the recent introduction of new electronic driving licences, the Government is set to adopt a new ‘chip and pin’ identity card allowing for locals to identify themselves securely to the Government’s servers. The report also makes mention of the Government’s GIS Portal which, ‘with a photographic map of Gibraltar, will allow citizens to report needed repairs by posting photographs on the map which will be reported to the relevant department for the necessary action.’
During his 2012 budget speech, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo insisted that work had already been started to develop the Government’s E-Government programme, which, he claimed, ‘will transform the way business is done in and with many areas of the public sector’. He went on to add that the Government is committed to promoting as much interaction as possible between the citizen and the Government “online” and enhancing the access and delivery of Government information and services to citizens and the business community’.
