If asked the private sector across the Caribbean would say that ICT in the public sector is grossly under-developed. Some of the contributing factors are discussed.


At a seminar on ICT entrepreneurship held last week and organised by the Telecommunication Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), a number of speakers highlighted in various ways that the Trinidad and Tobago government’s ICT platform was not “keeping up with the needs of the local ICT private sector” (Source: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday). Although the comments were being made specific to Trinidad and Tobago, the situation is not unique in the Caribbean region. To a considerable degree, the private sector in most countries would also share the view that their respective government platforms are not meeting their ICT needs.

Although it could be argued that in many countries worldwide, a digital divide exists – where government ICT platforms are not fully satisfying the needs of their private sectors – the chasm seem especially wide in the region. Below we outline four of the reasons we believe for the ever widening divide.

1. There is no overwhelming need to improve

As the largest employer and purchaser of goods and services in virtually all Caribbean countries, to a considerable degree, Caribbean governments can dictate their processes. Further, and perhaps more importantly, most laws and structures do not penalise governments for tardy processing of transactions, or for other inefficiencies that might exist that could benefit from technological solutions. Hence since there is no real impetus to improve the current systems and more aligned with today’s business ethos and culture.

2.  Budgets limited to implement the changes needed

To varying degrees, most of Caribbean governments are strapped for cash. Though they might be able to secure funds from international donor agencies, frequently the money received can only be used for specific purposes, which may not include electronic (e-)government-related initiatives. Hence, depending on its slate of priority projects, those geared towards improving its digital infrastructure and platforms are likely to get very little attention. When compounded with limited funds, focus would tend to be on simple, quick-win initiatives that do not realise the comprehensive and longer-term improvements actually needed

3.  Planning and implementation process are highly protracted

When a Caribbean country decides to implement a project and especially when international donor funds are involved, the period from concept to implementation and project completion can be highly protracted. In the digital space, which continues to evolve at rapid pace, it frequently happens that by the time a project is ready for implementation, the approved specifications, equipment, services, terms of reference, etc., are no longer as cutting edge as when the project was conceptualised. However, it can be near impossible to significantly alter that construct; hence projects proceed, but often are not as effective as they could have been.

4.  Sheer size of governments can be intimidating

Most Caribbean governments comprise not only hundreds or even thousands of employees, their offices and operations are quite dispersed. As a result, the effort to connect them and to allow them to engage online, can be considerable – not just in terms of the scale of the systems and networks needed, but also in their complexity. In addition to the scale of some of the projects that might need to be implemented, an associated change management process, to help staff transition and adopt the new systems and way of working is crucial. However, the efforts made on that front tend to be inadequate, which in turn can not only hinder adoption of the new system, but frequently results in two or more processes being implemented at the same time, neither of which as effective or efficient as they could be.

 

Image credit:  Chris (flickr)

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