The Fijian government has recognized the issue of low productivity within the civil service and plans a significant transformation to enhance efficiency. Communications Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica announced an ambitious goal to automate up to 80 percent of civil service functions over the next five to ten years. Central to this initiative is the introduction of a national digital ID system aimed at simplifying services and ensuring greater accountability.
Kamikamica emphasized that automation will not only increase transparency in service delivery but will also hold civil servants accountable, enhancing service agreements which should significantly reduce delays and boost overall efficiency. He also pointed out the necessity of providing incentives to encourage the drive towards digitization.
Support for this initiative comes from Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad, who has observed early improvements in service delivery. He notes that while increasing productivity is critical, especially for labor-intensive roles, the focus must remain on modernizing the public service to stimulate economic growth.
Previous articles have explored similar themes, highlighting the government’s commitment to automating processes such as business registrations and construction permits. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to modernize the public service, making it more responsive and efficient in meeting the needs of citizens.
In summary, these initiatives reflect a hopeful trajectory towards enhancing public sector productivity, benefiting not only civil servants but also the wider community as Fiji embraces a future-focused approach to governance and service delivery.
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