2 key agencies merged under Public Telecommunications Ministry

The Public Telecommunications Ministry has announced the 100 per cent merger of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and the e-Government Project Execution Unit.   The reconstituted entity, with immediate effect, will be referred to as the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).
The NDMA’s most critical objectives are to modernise Government and public services to vastly improve their efficiencies, and ensure that all citizens of Guyana are included in this process, from Region One to Region 10.   Within this framework, the NDMA has established an IT Technical Working Group (TWG) that comprises the Heads of all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Departments in Ministries and agencies within the Public Sector.
The Chairman is Floyd Levi and the General Manager is Francis Simmons.  The Executive Committee comprises Dr Marcia Thomas, Clement Henry and Lenandlar Singh.
The Public Telecommunications Ministry on Monday stated that it recognised that Government’s national development agenda could only be realised through an ICT-based ecosystem that (1) efficiently delivers Government’s services; (2) ensures citizen engagement and participation; and (3) enhances the administration of Government.  It is also intended to build and strengthen national competitiveness on the business front.
“The national ICT agenda would be best executed by this appropriately structured body with a legislative mandate,” the new NDMA Chairman said.   “This new organisation must be agile, innovative and very responsive to our citizens’ increasingly sophisticated demands for better ICT services, as well as the rapidly changing dynamics of ICT in the world.”
Previously, the e-Government Project Execution Unit and the National Data Management Authority existed with identical mandates under Programme 332 of the Public Telecommunications Ministry.  For greater expediency, Minister Cathy Hughes consequently decided to rationalise these mandates and proposed to Cabinet the merger of the two entities under the NDMA Act of 1983.  By Cabinet decision, the e-Government Project Execution Unit was brought under the aegis of the NDMA and its 1983 Act.
The Public Telecommunications Ministry is responsible for Internet governance, creation of digital skills and entrepreneurship, e-Government, postal services and telecommunications. The Ministry also holds some responsibility for cybersecurity.