The State of ICT in Government: Reflections on E-Government

The State of ICT in Government: Reflections on E-Government

December 6, 2024

In 1999, the term "e-government" was coined by a consultant in Curaçao, coinciding with the implementation of a pivotal report titled Nothing Will Be the Same. This marked a decisive moment for the government, leading to the downsizing of 1,000 civil servants from a workforce of around 5,000. The restructuring was based on a carefully prepared analysis of the core tasks developed by our consultancy. Unfortunately, after a change in government, we lost the assignment to implement the plan because we hadn’t sponsored the ruling political party. It was a time marked by market-driven reforms and the looming threat of the Y2K bug.

The history of governmental information systems in Curaçao pre-dates the e-government era. By the late 1980s, the government operated several mainframes and mini-frames. This era saw the establishment of an information policy and the creation of the Department of Information Services (Dienst Informatie Voorziening), which was privatized in the 1990s as CORE NV, a government-owned enterprise.

Fast forward to today, and while online tax payments and other e-services are now possible, it wasn’t so long ago that I had to visit the tax office monthly to pay sales taxes in person. Government information systems have long been a source of inefficiency and frustration. Over two decades ago, a project to link all government databases was identified as a priority, yet it remains incomplete. About 10 to 15 years ago, I submitted a proposal to oversee this project with a simple approach: get it done. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t get the assignment.

In December, I attempted to pay my vehicle tax online, only to discover that it’s not possible—and you can’t pay it in December at all. When it becomes payable remains unclear. This inability to handle basic services online in 2025 underscores systemic inefficiencies. The government’s website, www.gobiernu.cw, exemplifies this. Is it a portal? A digital brochure? A collection of forms? A communication platform? Whatever its intended purpose, it fails to meet basic usability standards. While it represents progress compared to years past, it’s disheartening considering the millions spent on consultants to develop an ICT framework. What, exactly, has been delivered?

2018, a pivotal moment occurred when the mastermind behind Estonia’s status as the world’s most digitized country visited Curaçao for a conference. His insight was revelatory: governments, not the private sector, must lead the way to becoming a "smart nation." During his visit, he noted that discussions about digitization would be futile if a government lacked a Chief Information Officer (CIO). When the CIO position for the government of Curaçao was advertised, government IT professionals urged me to apply. Given my background in organizational and information management both within government and as a leader at a Big Six consultancy, I did. By then, I had authored several publications on the subject, including Curaçao 3.0, Curaçao Smart Nation, and a comparative analysis of Curaçao, Singapore, and Estonia.

Despite reaching the final selection rounds, I was ultimately not chosen for the CIO role. The reason? According to the consultants I mentioned who were part of the selection process, my background is in public administration, not IT. Ironically, Estonia’s top digital minds aren’t IT specialists either—a point I had clearly emphasized. The appointed CIO has since faded into obscurity; few even know that the position exists or who holds it.

Meanwhile, cybersecurity incidents have plagued the island. The Ministry of Planning and Development (BPD) was hit by ransomware, the Central Bank faced a serious hacking attempt, and Aqualectra, our utility company, suffered multiple cyberattacks in 2023, resulting in five island-wide blackouts. These incidents underscore the critical need for robust ICT leadership and strategy.

There has been some progress, with more services available through the e-government portal. However, the overall state of governmental ICT remains disheartening. For Curaçao to truly become a smart nation, the government must lead by example, prioritize cyber-security, and ensure that investments in ICT translate into tangible, user-friendly outcomes. The journey is long, but with the right leadership and vision, it’s achievable.

Miguel Goede