29th March, 2018 The Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Samuela Pohiva commissioned the e-Government Project Data Centre this afternoon at Mataki’eua.
Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei told guests that the event is a “defining moment” which marks the beginning of a momentous journey for Tonga. It is a historical day.
“In the past five years, the Tongan Government has always envisioned a new era for Tonga where Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be utilized to improve its services.”
“Last year, the Department of Information under the Ministry of MEIDECC collaborated with Tonga Communication Corporation to instigate the first phase of this initiative dubbed as the National ICT Project (NICT).”
The NICT consisted of three services which include
- Unified communications platform to enable inter government collaboration and citizens communications with the government
- A secured data centre to support government data and applications and
- A secured high-speed government fiber optic network that covers all ministries’ offices across Tongatapu
He said that the first phase of the e-government project meets international standard and supports the strategic objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Tonga Strategic Development Framework.
Hon Tei said the project is expected to unify control and management of systems as well as increase the availability of cross agency information which will produce effective decision making, streamline provision of customer services and save money and resources.
“Integrating services with the data centre will help decrease the cost of managing and maintaining ICT infrastructure for government. It will also minimize the duplication of services in individual ministries.”
“I am very much confident about the potential this project has in supporting the government’s vision to utilize ICT to improve its services for the good of our people, because the citizens of Tonga are indeed the center of this strategy.”
The NICT was funded by the Government of Tonga through relocation of budget for line ministries’ internet and communications.
Planning of the second phase of the e-government project is currently underway and will be funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
The benefits of the e-Government project will generate key results such as
- Helping to achieve specific policy outcomes through the use of ICT
- Enhances accountability and transparency by making information accessible
- Helps build trust between government and citizens through harnessing ICT to encourage citizens to think constructively about issues and
- Contributes to the economic policy objectives by reducing government spending through more effective programs.
The occasion marks the beginning of a new era for delivering Government services for the people of Tonga.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.