ERwanda Project - Report Example

eRwanda Task eRwanda Introduction Governments have been investing significantly in the Information and Communication (ICT) sector to improve the effectiveness of the public sector. The creation of ICT infrastructure is essential not only in the public sector but also within the society. Businesses and other educational or private institutions were the main users of ICT technologies. However, the governmental maintained the traditional documentation systems. Governments are now introducing ICT applications in public sectors to improve efficiencies and augment the superiority of services (Watkins, 2008). As the utilization of ICT increases with the creation of new applications, the governments continue to adopt these services. The implementation of the ICT technologies by governments matches the millennium development goals (MDG’s) that focus on digitizing government services. Although embracing some of the ICT technologies strains the financial budgets of countries, all governmental stakeholders agree that it is immensely critical in facilitating public services. Evidently, there has been an evolution of modern communication methods. The methods through which citizens interact with the government have changed remarkably from counter transactions to digital channels, for example, government websites. Rwanda is one of the countries that are currently incorporating ICT technologies in their governance structures (Watkins, 2008). This entails public sector services such as healthcare, license acquisition, taxation and education. Due to this, the government will be able to provide better services. About the Project The adoption of ICT solutions by various countries is in coherence with the globalization objective of computerizing administration procedures. The digitization processes are within the millennium development goals (MDG’s) of developing counties. ICT enhancement addresses Rwanda’s MDGs. The Rwandan government acknowledges the rising utilization of ICT in daily lives of its citizens. Consequently, the enhancement of government services through the ICT will be highly beneficial. It will assist the governance process in achieving exemplary echelons of performance. Furthermore, ICT adoption will increase the interaction of the authorities and citizens, further enhancing responsiveness of Rwanda’s government to their citizens’ concerns. For example, the Rwandan health ministry can create websites that focus on the needs of the citizens (Watkins, 2008). This means the citizens can apply health services online and share information. Additionally, the government websites encourage citizens to participate in shaping and implementation of policies. E-government increases coordination of the government operations in delivering services. The chief motivation of e-government is enhancing communication among government agencies, businesses, and its citizens. Incorporation of e-government services in Rwanda will empower the participation of citizens and businesses in the governance process (Watkins, 2008). This will empower the administration to be more efficient in undertaking its functions and assume a citizens-centered approach. More importantly, it will enhance communication among organizational departments of the government. This will enable the Rwandan country transition into a knowledge-based culture. This means the awareness of the governmental stakeholders in the government processes will increase. It will be simple for the administration to implement its policies, considering these ICT services are easily available in most urban localities. This is because the public will familiarize themselves with the implementation procedures beforehand through the ICT systems. Modern ICT is a strategic instrument that uplifts public awareness of present issues and will communicate the Rwandan government functions appropriately. Another motivation for e-government is to allow the integration of services among the diverse government departments and businesses. Adoption of ICT infrastructure allows the institutions to share information better across organizational boundaries. Traditionally, most government functions involved “face-to-face” interactions and documentation procedures but the introduction of ICT has changed this concept. Additionally, the citizens also desire integrated services without having to deal with multiple providers. The e-government mechanism unites the government services in one medium that makes it easier for the citizens and other interested parties to access it. These e-government processes are converged in single locations that are the government web portals. Indeed, this enables the government integrate its services holistically in a transparent way. The funding of the ICT process in Rwanda can occur through the government budget (Watkins, 2008). The Rwandan administration can include the purchase of ICT technologies as one of its developmental initiatives. Inclusion of this expenditure will pressurize the government to purchase the ICT equipment. Moreover, the Rwandan administration can source the funds from foreign donors if the costs of acquiring the ICT advancements are high for the country. Foreign organization, for example UN and the international Monetary Fund (IMF), are keen on funding developmental initiatives to realize the MDG’s. The major stakeholders of e-government are its citizens, businesses (both private and public) and governmental institutions. E-government promotes greater citizen engagement in public policies through the latest communication mechanisms. These new social tools have the capacity to transform the public policy processes. This makes the government processes more responsive and participatory. Analysis The eRwanda project has had many success stories since its initiation. The TRACNet system was part of the ten million (in US dollars) funded eRwanda project. It makes use of cell phones to obtain information about AIDS patients and their drug usage. This enables health workers to efficiently coordinate activities in the field by receiving accurate laboratory results and, consequently, report shortages in drugs. The information acquired is used by the Ministry of Health to monitor and track the supplies of HIV/AIDS drugs and their use in the two hundred and fifty health clinics spread across the country (Watkins, 2008). The results of this initiative are outstanding. This is because, prior to its initiation, only six thousand HIV/AIDS patients were targeted for treatment. These figures have eventually risen to a record seventy thousand patients thanks to the TRACNet system of eRwanda. The figures also represent a percentage increase from ten per cent to sixty five per cent of the patients eligible for treatment. Conversely, the percentage of patients who begin treatment late has significantly dropped from sixty seven per cent to four per cent (Watkins, 2008). The success of TRACNet system in these fields has inspired the stakeholders to extend its mandate. Currently, it delivers immediate results to HIV infants. This subsequently helps in the provision of relevant information that is vital for rapid placement in life saving treatment. In the meantime, there are plans underway to spread out the system to scrutinize other diseases like malaria and TB (Watkins, 2008). The eRwanda also brags of the existence of the ICT buses. These mobile Telecenters offer complementary ICT services such as photocopying, scanning and printing besides training. After the introduction of ICT buses in Rwanda, live has changed tremendously. For instance, the police now rapidly compile and send reports via emails instead of the traditional manual process that was characterized by frequent delays (Watkins, 2008). However, the access to electricity is very limited within the country. This hinders faster establishment and operations of ICT buses in many parts of the country. There has also been slow response and some negative stereotypes from affiliates of the public. The country also lacks enough personnel with relevant experience and training on ICT, which can be attributed to massive brain drain that Rwanda currently experiences. Additionally, the country is not a traditionally research-conscious society, and the population rarely supports and appreciates such initiatives. These factors have been among the obstacles to the attainment of the objectives of the projects. Outcomes of the eRwanda Project This project has enabled the establishment of Market Price information System (eSoKo), e-Grades System (eNota), and the National e-Government Portal. It has also promoted the assessment of ICT training needs and development plan. Besides, many public offices have been transformed and the capacity building enhanced. The submarine cable project and the ICT bus project have been created. Funding Mechanisms and Objectives The eRwanda projects were firmly based on competitive funding mechanisms. For instance, the TDF was required to merge with the premeditated National Research Fund. This helped curb issues of misappropriation. Recipient project firms were expected to acquire management and capacity building skills as part of qualification for fresh sources of funds. As a result, capacity building has been enhanced across the ICT firms in the country. As a way of ensuring that the ICT projects actually attain their objectives, stringent funding mechanisms were laid out for ICT entrepreneurial firms (Watkins, 2008). For example, one of the qualifications for financial extensions to an ICT firm includes proven competence and understanding of ICT. Consequently, many information technology companies set up highly competent structures, which has allowed them to meet some objectives (Watkins 2008). The eRwanda project considered several sociocultural factors that it wanted to address. The result was positive, as it embraced all the projects. Factors Contributing to the Success or Failure of the Project The accomplishment or malfunction of a project is dependent on the presence of well-defined objectives. This outlines individual responsibilities within a team. There should also be sufficient funds available for the success of the project. Conversely, shortage of funds leads to undue delays of the project that can eventually cause failure. Additionally, the project implementers need to engage stakeholders in all stages of the project. This is because of the need to make the stakeholders informed and motivated in relation to the processes within projects. The project team also requires constant support from the top executives through advice and guidance. The eRwanda project was initiated in numerous government departments and the private sector. Initially, education and extensive trainings contributed to the sensitization process. The trainings touched on the capacity building. As a result, the recipient organizations were empowered to sustain themselves independently after the donors left. The success of this project makes it applicable in many developing countries. However, it is fundamental to consider the importance of awareness. Conclusion Transforming to an integrated ICT mode of governance has been challenging for the Rwandan government. Only a few countries have made the requisite investments in the ICT sector, especially in Africa. The Rwandese government is streamlining some of the complex governmental procedures and programs although it experiences several obstacles in achieving efficiency in ICT services. For example, the TRACNet application enables the citizen to access vital data concerning AIDS and drug use through their cell phones. It also facilitates better coordination of health workers during drug shortages and supplies. Additionally, it helps the Ministry of Health to evaluate the supplies of HIV/AIDS drugs across the country. Establishment of eSoKo in market pricing and eNota in education also highlights the government efforts of generating ICT solutions to societal challenges. These initiatives will lead to the improvement of e-governance in Rwanda. References Watkins, Alfred J. (2008). Building science, technology, and innovation capacity in Rwanda: Developing practical solutions to practical problems. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Publications. Read More