KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Ministry of Science Energy and Technology today announced that the draft of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority Bill is now complete and headed to the Legislation Committee of Cabinet for approval.

The authority will streamline ICT spend, drive efficiency, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve service delivery across and within ministries, departments and agencies.

This, the ministry said will be done by:

a) Strategically planning and implementing the right ICT solutions for the services delivered by Government; and

b) bringing the entire Government ICT function under one ‘roof’ by consolidating the operations of eGov Jamaica Limited and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

The ministry added that Jamaica’s National Development Plan, Vision 2030, positions ICT as a pivotal sector to drive investment, economic growth and development and in so doing, the ICT Authority will become the single authoritative voice and framework to expand the range of ICT services that are required across Government.

Its establishment, the ministry said represents one of its key goals in positioning Jamaica as a digital society. It also represents one component of the broader Government transformation process to a shared corporate services delivery model.

Following deliberations at the Legislation Committee, the ICT Authority Bill will be submitted to Cabinet for its approval for tabling in both Houses of Parliament, the ministry said.