Fresh bid to boost public service delivery using technology

A new deal signed yesterday between several public and private actors is expected to promote the e-governance programme enabling citizens to give their feedback on public service delivery using mobile phones. The MOU was signed between the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the Ministry of Youth and ICT, Pivot Access and One UN Rwanda. Eric Hitimana explains his application Service Monitor. It is meant to build a strong collaboration that will promote the development of mobile applications that facilitate and fast-track public service delivery. The signing ceremony was graced by the Minister for Youth and ICT (MYICT), Jean Philbert Nsengimana; the CEO of RGB, Prof. Anastase Shyaka; the One UN Rwanda resident coordinator, Lamin Manneh; and the CEO of Pivot Access, Maurice Kagame. Top five finalists of the mobile app competition for public service delivery were also announced and awarded with Rwf 730,000 to facilitate them in developing their prototypes to a stage that can be tested on the market. The top five will again enter into a competition where only three will be awarded top prizes. Saad Ndagijimana expresses why he called his application Local Digital. The young stars are Saad Ndagijimana, with his app called Local Digital; Eric Hitimana of Service Monitor; Origene Igiraneza of Neza Digital Service; Alexis Mugwaneza of Noza, and Joshua Ntwari with e-gov app. Nsengimana urged the five innovators to be careful not to replicate the already existing systems, but rather build on them. “Systems like ‘Rwanda online’ platform are already in place and these mobile apps should support them in the drive to build a knowledge-based economy. Innovators should also be very knowledgeable on e-government services and take time to properly understand them so that the applications they build are beneficial to all citizens,” he said. Joshua Ntwari explains his application but he has not yet gotten the official name for his application. The objective of developing the mobile solution is to complement and ease the efforts of RGB with a view of monitoring service delivery in Rwanda in order to continuously provide feedback to policy makers and implementers, according to Prof Shyaka. “This MOU and contest are meant to promote innovation, create jobs and better services to our people. We have worked with different stakeholders for almost a year to develop this contest and will continuously evaluate the progress of the prototypes developed until they are on the market and enabling clients to enjoy better services,” he noted. (L-R) Maurice Kagame, Nsengimana, Shyaka and Manneh pose with the MOU signed yesterday. Lamin Manneh thanked the Government for its commitment towards innovation and entrepreneurship. He said, in the past three years, the One UN has been increasingly supportive of innovative solutions for the development of the country and will continue to do so. Alexis Mugwaneza of Noza Project explains how its going to benefit Rwandans. The top five winners will get free mentorship and resources from Pivot Access. Maurice Kagame pledged to work closely with the innovators until the actual product that is desired is received. “We are set to assist and walk with the innovators until the desired product is delivered,” he said. One of the innovators, Origene Igiraneza, developed a mobile application that would enable clients to make quick reports, complaints or compliments using a mobile app suggestion box. Origene Igiraneza reveals how Neza Digital Service will operate. (All photos by Doreen Umutesi) “Technology is an enabler that brings many solutions to life. I am happy to be among the winners and will develop my application with the thought of giving the best experience to the end-user,” he noted. “We have great mentorship and great support from the Government and the One UN Rwanda to be able to build very good applications.” One of the challenges identified in the achievement of Rwanda’s Vision 2020 as well as the medium term (2013-2018) Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS II) is to improve the public service delivery. Public service delivery is one of the priorities in two pillars that would deliver accountable governance objective for EDPRS II. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Fresh bid to boost public service delivery using technology