BASSETERRE: The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is undertaking a comprehensive digital transformation to modernize public services, Chief Digital Transformation Officer Nigel Carty announced during a recent “In Focus” interview.
“Digital transformation is really a term that means government intensifying its use of digital technologies to improve the way it serves the public,” Carty explained. “It’s about increasing accessibility, improving inclusivity.”
The initiative includes five major projects centered on the government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda. At the forefront is the digitization of civil registry records containing hundreds of thousands of births, deaths, and marriages dating back to the 1850s. Documents are currently being scanned to enable online certificate applications and protect deteriorating paper records.
“These files have existed since the mid 1800s. So we’re talking about records that go back to as far as 1850, 1852 in fact,” Carty noted. “It’s critically important that we digitize those records.”
The government is also developing an electronic identification system for citizens aged five and above, with newborns receiving unique ID numbers at birth. The e-IDs, accessible via smart cards and mobile apps, will be built to international standards and could facilitate regional travel while reducing identity fraud.
Building on these systems, an online passport application process will allow citizens worldwide to apply for new passports or renewals without visiting multiple government offices. The integrated system will connect civil registry, police records, and e-ID databases to automatically retrieve necessary information.
Additionally, a single-window portal for paperless trade is being developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Office, with a mission scheduled for November to conduct legislative reviews with stakeholders.
Recognizing the digital divide, Carty emphasized a phased approach. “We cannot in one fell swoop expect everybody to be able to make use of the technologies,” he said, noting that traditional service channels will remain available during the transition.
The government has also passed data protection legislation, currently under review for regional harmonization. With increased digitization comes heightened cybersecurity concerns. “Every day, there are bad actors around the world who are seeking to intrude our banks here, government systems, treasury, inland revenue,” Carty revealed.
A town hall meeting is scheduled for the New Town Community Center around October 21-23, with officials encouraging public participation in shaping the digital transformation process.
The Digital Transformation Management Unit, established over a year ago, is supported by four committees with members from government departments and the private sector.