IDB supports GovNet project

The Government is moving closer to creating its own communication network, GovNet, following provision of a $20.5 million grant from the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).
The Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed Thursday (November 25), at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Heroes Circle, Kingston.
Vice Chair of the Central Information Technology Office at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Douglas Vaz, spoke on behalf of information Minister, Hon Daryl Vaz, and explained the rationale for the project.
“The idea for a common, government-wide network has been mooted for many years, however successive administrations have struggled to implement this network, as the empirical information to make an informed decision on how to design, implement, maintain and manage the operations…was and is not readily available,” he stated.
The 10-month technical and economic review project for the creation of GovNet is being implemented by the IDB, in partnership with the Cabinet Office, through the Public Sector Transformation Unit. The Government of Jamaica will provide over $5 million towards execution of the initiative.
When established, GovNet will facilitate the seamless transfer of information between government agencies and other stakeholders. It will also facilitate the provision of online services to the public, at a minimal cost.