KSAC Seeking to Improve Efficiency Through ICT

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) is seeking to improve the efficiency of its operations through the introduction of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions.

As part of measures to ensure staff  fully embrace this change, the KSAC held its inaugural ICT Innovation Summit on July 23, at the Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston.

It was held under the theme: ‘ICT: Driving Innovation and Modernization beyond 21^st Century Performance for the KSAC’.

According to a statement from the KSAC, the corporation is currently faced with the challenge of fully integrating ICT at all levels “in an environment where there is a natural resistance to change”.

“The solution must therefore be to introduce the technology through user-friendly and germane ways such as this workshop while also identifying the gaps and deterrents to fuller ICT penetration,” the statement read.

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Angela Brown-Burke told the staff that fully accepting technological advancements is crucial to fulfillment of their duties and improving delivery of service to the public.

“This is what is going to make the difference. We have said that we want to be the leading innovative local authority…let’s leave here with a plan that we are going to implement that is going to make the difference,” she urged.

Town Clerk, Robert Hill, pointed out that part of the objectives of the workshop is to take the KSAC to a higher level of efficiency by better managing and measuring all internal processes that are dependent on the delivery of quality service.

He argued that it is time for innovation within the corporation, noting that Information Technology (IT) should now be the basis of all the KSAC’s operations.

“Everything that we do here on in…has to be IT-based. I’m not saying that we are going to do away with paper, but depend less on it and depend more on your innovative thinking, your critical thinking and bring your fresh ideas to the table,” he said.

Former Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy and ICT Professional, Edward Alexander, praised the KSAC on embarking of the initiative, noting that it augurs well for how Government business will be conducted in the future.

“It is heartening to see a public sector entity taking this approach, embracing ICT because it is the future…. initiatives such as this will make a difference,” he said.