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Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 19, 2016 (SKNIS): The Government of National Unity launched the National ICT Governance Board and introduced the E-Government interactive platform on Thursday (February 19) at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) under the auspices of the Attorney-General and Minister of Communications, Honourable Vincent Byron Jr. The E-Government portal promises cost-effectiveness and time efficiency.

Held under the theme “Transforming a Nation through Technology and Innovation,” the launch was the first of its kind in St. Kitts and Nevis and came as a part of the government’s first anniversary week of activities celebrations. Guests were introduced to the members of the National ICT Governance Board and treated to demonstrations of the brand new E Government Portal which is the first of its kind in the region.

Speaking at the launch, the Communications Minister, Honourable Vincent Byron Jr, explained that the portal offers many benefits to the government, private sector and the federation’s citizens. The portal will facilitate more efficiency in transactions, as most will be done online.

According to Attorney General Byron, “The whole standard of government is expected to rise.” He indicated that the government had come to the realization that it was “critical to be able to improve; to bolster the work that is done by the government as we need to change the way in which government works, to deliver services to and for the people, and fundamentally that ICT is supposed to do.”

“E-Governance provides many benefits and advantages for government, corporate sector and society. Some of these benefits are that government processes become more streamlined, efficient and less dependent on human interaction and the cost of processing transactions will be reduced online, resulting in great savings. Another advantage is that of interconnecting various ministries and government departments electronically to share information,” the attorney general said.

The E Government Portal became a reality through a private public sector partnership between the Government of National Unity and Open Interactive. Describing the partnership as beautiful, the attorney-general said, “I want to say a special thank you to Open Interactive, a private organization that was founded on the work of Stachio Williams, who is the principal in SKNVibes here in St. Kitts and Nevis, adding that “Open Interactive is very much the work of Adam Anderson, who we have adopted as a Kittitian from North America. He is working very much with us, putting forward the framework for launch of this Government Portal.”

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said, “It is indeed a pleasure for me to be associated with the launch of the government’s E portal today. Today of course, we advance the standard of the Team Unity Government as a modern government that is progressive enough to embrace the future and all the efficacies and efficiencies associated with ICT and in particular with the E portal.”

The Prime Minister said that the launch of the portal was a clear indication of the government envisioned for the people of St Kitts and Nevis.

“A government that is open. A government that is transparent. A government that is committed to giving the best quality service to the citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis,” he said.

Prime Minister said that, “the launch will also help us to enhance the delivery of a variety of services and provide information to the global community with regard to developments to St. Kitts and Nevis.”

The launch was attended by students of the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, government officials, staff of the National ICT Center, Former Governor-General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Cabinet of Ministers, staff of Open Interactive and other invitees.