Political will is demanded for society’s digital transformation

 

Statement by AKEL MP Andros Kafkalias after the meeting of the Parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee

25 October 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

We examined the Budget of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy in the Finance Committee today. A Deputy Ministry, which, of course, in our opinion set the pace and guidelines for growth, improving people’s quality of life, creating new quality jobs and promote the transition of the Public Service to a model with increased productivity, reduced bureaucracy, minimizing delays in the processing of citizens’ applications and so on.

It is for this reason that we, as AKEL, have submitted, not today, but since 2018, a comprehensive and very specific proposal for the Digital Transformation of Cypriot Society. From planning to practical implementation, however, there is a period of time in between, during which the necessary political will and prioritization of needs by the Government is demanded.

More specifically, in examining the Budget, we have noted a reality that has been promoted in recent years, namely that the Government is moving towards a steadily, unfortunately, increasing trend of fulfilling permanent needs through the method of purchasing services. While we have all noted the need to establish the Deputy Ministry and invest in institutional memory, we are faced with this reality which burdens, at the end of the day, Cypriot taxpayers with great costs to their detriment.

In addition, we noted the need for the Deputy Ministry’s further involvement in the efforts to provide solutions to the processing of applications with regards numerous social benefits and allowances. It is unacceptable that it takes dozens of forms, statements and certificates to be put in an envelope and then sent, then lost and subsequently searched for. To be sent, eventually, to an agency which will then file and store them.

It is imperative that the public service is interconnected, that information moves between Ministries without inconveniencing citizens. Let us finally ensure that technology enhances the quality of life of citizens.

One last point, in relation to the creation of a Register of Beneficial Owners. We have criticized the fact that the timetable for the creation of this specific register, which reaches up to the end of 2023, perpetuates a problematic situation, which leaves gaps and shortcomings that expose the Republic of Cyprus.