Gov't gets Web-savvy
So says Brigitte Annisette-George.
...citizens of Trinidad and Tobago "in the coming months will be able to file their income tax returns, apply for drivers permits and gain access to other services online via the Internet."
...Annisette-George said the country had made impressive strides in developing its ICT capacity since 2003 and none of this would have been possible without "the leadership and commitment which he (Manning) has shown and demonstrated to this initiative."
Actually, the birth of the ICT drive took place with the UNC government, since prior to 1998 when they made available interest-free loans to public servants to access computers. I think by and large this played a bigger part in getting affordable IT equipment into homes, and allowing a majority of the population access to resources that they would not have had otherwise.
When the PNM government took over they stopped the loans, and made a few steps backward. Further in the article, it mentions that Trinidad and Tobago actually slipped down the ranks of global ICT ratings.
Basically, once again, Pa-trick is boasting of mediocrity and/or paucity of performance. Does he think that people's memories doesn't extend beyond 10 days?
If the government was actually interested in competing on a global scale (or if not competing, then at least, progressing) then they would make available faster Internet for online learning, open the Internet field to more providers instead of relying on TSTT's poor performance, more online learning programs, cheaper access to software... there are many ways to turn things round for the better.
I would like to see more payments made online at the Licensing and Customs offices so the 'thiefing' officials there are cut out of the loop.
Still, at least some effort is made. Might as well cover the dog with tar to get rid of the fleas than do nothing at all.
