Minister of National Development Planning says the Covid-19 crisis has brought new needs for digital government services as well as put more demand on existing digital services.
Speaking when he received 60 laptops donated by the United Nations (UN) to the Ministry, Alexander Chiteme said the donation could not have come at a more opportune time than now, when government ministries are operating in the new normal.
Mr Chiteme noted that the support is timely as it has been done at a time when the ministry has commenced its preparation of the eighth national development plan which will require broad consultation with stakeholders.
“This donation could not have come at a more opportune time than now when we are operating in the ‘new normal’ and will facilitate the implementation of His Excellency, President Edgar Lungu’s directive outlined in the 5th address to the nation made on 22nd May, 2020, in that address, His excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, called for the restoration of work arrangements to ensure that public service begin to operate at optimum capacity and effectively in the new normal,” Mr Chiteme said.
He added that new normal requires adequate administrative tools to upscale the usage of digital platforms such as virtual meetings as opposed to physical interaction, reduction on paper and transacting electronically with stakeholders and clients.
Mr Chiteme said Covid-19 has transformed the way business is conducted in the country, hence the demands to adapt to new ways of conducting government businesses.
“It should be noted that the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic is causing everyone to revisit the global norms that have been the backdrop for business for the last century,” he said.
“You will agree with me that covid-19 has transformed the way we conduct business. This entails that we have to adopt new ways of conducting government business, change the way we interact with our clients and stakeholders.”
He further said the usage of digital platforms is in line with the 7th National Development Plan, development outcome on “improved service delivery” in Pillar Number Five (5) on “creating a conducive governance environment for a diversified and inclusive economy.”
He said the equipment will also help all beneficiary institutions to quickly adjust to the new normal in conducting government business.