(TCSI): This week saw the launch of the Solomon Island Government’s (SIG) online portal and app, making government information more accessible to the country’s citizens and visitors.

The online gateway was launched along with a number of SIG-ICT services on Monday, emphasising the government’s shift towards the use of online solutions and platforms for its service delivery and for disseminating official information to the public.

Highlighting the importance of the milestone achievement, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare himself attended the launch together with his Finance, Public Service and Police Ministers and the four were met at the occasion by the Australian High Commissioner, Dr. Lachlan Strathan.

A government statement said the SIG web presence and Mobile App is a digitised channel that enables government services to reach citizens through the use of modern technology. 

“It brings the government closer to its citizens through readily available information in a central online location and accessible on mobile phones,” the statement said.

“Web presence will replace one-way information publishing with two-way communications, therefore, improving the way citizens and public servants interact with government,” it added.

Visitors and the international community and governments will now be able to access accurate information about the Solomon Islands Government in a “one-stop” online shop at https://www.solomons.gov.sb/ .

This is a significant step towards digital transformation or e-governance because it will transform information into a digital form that requires a cultural change in the government processes to deliver value to its citizens.

The project was funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through budget support.

Work on content is ongoing and will be regularly updated.