UAE | General
Oman studies aspects of e-governance
An Information Technology expert in Oman believes that Oman was not lagging behind in embracing e-governance, because it was important to first ensure the concept blended with the culture of the country.
- From Sunil K. Vaidya
- Published: 00:00 May 12, 2003
An Information Technology expert in Oman believes that Oman was not lagging behind in embracing e-governance, because it was important to first ensure the concept blended with the culture of the country.
"E-governance will have to be in sync with our culture and habits," Yaqoob Dar Mohammed Al Bulushi, Director of Information Systems Directorate at the Muscat Municipality, told Gulf News yesterday on the sidelines of a symposium on e-government.
"There are positive as well as negative sides to any system, thus we would like to study every aspect in detail before fully implementing e-governance," he said.
According to the country's IT Strategy, which was unveiled last week, Oman could have full e-government by the end of 2007, he pointed out.
"We also need to create awareness among the citizens and different departments and organisations," he said. As such, he said, Muscat Municipality has taken initiatives by organising the international symposium.
"The symposium is a big hit as we have delegates from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Jordan, Australia and other countries presenting their papers," he said.
On the home front, he added: "Everybody wants to know about it. Different ministries have taken part as they are keen to know where to start....To cover 1,000 miles, we need to take one step and this symposium is our first step."
He agreed that e-government will have to be more open and red tape will have to go.
"Bureaucracy is part of a third world country. We have inherited this system and it cannot go overnight," he said. He stressed that IT was not a magic wand, which can drive away bureaucracy with a single swipe.
"It will gradually go. It may take time. It could be slow, but change has to come and it will come." Al Bulushi said it is important that the government thinks along the lines of change.
"It is important to try and we are trying. We are at least moving in that direction," he said.
He modestly refused to agree that Muscat Municipality had taken a lead in the IT advancement compared to other departments. "I cannot say we are ahead. Everyone has their plans and strategy. We also have ours and we are going ahead with that," said the technocrat.
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