The Government has moved a step closer to online service delivery with the launch of a communication infrastructure. Developed in partnership with Telkom Kenya and Dimension Data, the project is currently on pilot basis.

The online service delivery will see all ministries, and some key Government departments communicate seamlessly. Eventually, the project is expected to see Government function in a paperless framework, and further increase public access to Government information.

Cut costs

"The new initiative will make a significant contribution to service delivery through efficient information management, and improve on communication across all Government agencies," said Francis Mwaura, the Directorate of e-Government.

Speaking at a media briefing in Nairobi yesterday, Mwaura said the project would see the Government use on current ICT infrastructure to cut costs, and reduce cases of corruption associated with processes. It is also expected to reduce duplication of roles in Government offices.

Telkom Kenya and Dimension Data were contracted by the Government to provide Internet bandwidth, and develop a secure and dedicated communication platform for the e-Government project.

The two companies have put up the Government Common Core Network (GCCN), connecting different ministries and key Government offices, as well as provided 80 megabits per second (Mbps) Internet bandwidth for transaction of business between the offices.

Telkom Kenya Chief Executive, Mickael Ghossein, said the project would soon reach public officers to enable them access e-mail, as well as transact or download Government information at high speeds.

"Government officials will also be able to access bandwidth, notably telepresence, which could potentially see judges conducting trials remotely, with a higher degree of technical sophistication, and increased fidelity of both video and audio," he said at a briefing yesterday.

During the briefing, project officers from Telkom Kenya and the e-Government secretariat were awarded, following completion of a specialised training course on bandwidth management and maintenance. The officers are expected to be part of the team managing the GCCN platform.

Source: The East African Standard newspapaer article by Macharia Kamau.