Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis has been pushing ahead with its Digital Transformation Agenda. The initiative was commemorated on December 20th, 2022 during the Signing Ceremony for Digital Identity Authentication, under the charge of Ms Ophelia Blanchard, the Director(Ag) in the Technology Department.
The Project, that is set to begin in 2023, is scheduled to be completed over a period of four years. It symbolizes the commencement of a new agreement in the aspect of Technical cooperation between the International Cooperation and Development Fund(ICDF) of the Republic of China(Taiwan) and the Ministry of ICT.
The Minister of ICT, Konris G. M. Maynard; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology, and Posts, Cheryleann Pemberton, along with the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Michael Chau-Horng Lin, addressed the audience about the merits and the intent the Digital Identity Authentication Project carries.
As Mrs Pemberton stated, the Project envisages Government’s digital transformation strategy that involves the implementation of a centralized electronic system for citizens of St Kitts and Nevis using general name ID to improve data integrity across all government departments.
Besides this, the establishments include a digital signature, an integrated mechanism into a secure and effective identity authentication structure, forming a unified data management mechanism for the country and helping in the easy acquisition of digital ID card manufacturing and card issuing capabilities.
“The Project forms a significant contributor in the Government’s Digital Transformation Strategy that eyes upon the creation of a digital identity services trust framework to establish authentication mechanism to match the technical and information security standards.
With the digital representation of an individual’s identity, citizens can use it as ID proof, effected by user permissions to gain secure access to online transactions such as receiving government services – social and financial benefits, electronic commerce and banking transactions for improved efficiency and convenience,” Hon. Konris G. M. Maynard stated.
Additionally, the venture also provides opportunities for human development while training in capabilities of digital identity management, digital certificates and information security to sustain ongoing technical and administrative support.Â
 The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Konris G. M. Maynard, reinstated the audience that within this new Project, there is no infringement on the rights and privacy of the citizens.
“The rights and needs of our citizens are the government’s highest priority and will be preserved where the people retain the control over how and where their digital identity will be used.“
