GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Project Name:
National Network Infrastructure System
Country Submitting Project:
GRENADA
1. Summary Of Project
The purpose of the project is to design and deploy a national Network Infrastructure
System that would electronically link all government ministries, departments and
statutory bodies to local and wide area networks throughout the nation. This activity is
part of a National ICT Strategy and Action Plan that was developed to ensure socioeconomic development within the nation. The Network Infrastructure System will
incorporate the technical flexibility to accommodate national future expansion as
appropriate. The short-term benefits would manifest themselves in public sector
productivity and efficiency improvement, and eventual private sector, and national access
and connectivity to e-transaction capabilities through the information super highway.
The realization of the short-term objective requires physical establishment of Local Area
Networks, and their strategic connections to digital segmentation designs that would
allow maximum throughput and continuous network accessibility. These network
platforms will define the pathway for future expansion into the private sector and nation,
hence, the conceptualization phase and implementation robustness are key ingredients to
the success of this project.
Estimated Cost.
The project is divided into two phases, the short-term, which deals with the deployment
of the physical Infrastructure, and the expansion phase, dealing with access and
connectivity concerns throughout the nation. The immediate focus is on the short-term
phase. The estimated cost for this phase is 800K euro with Grenada contributing
150Keuro. The implementation activities will be managed and performed by the Central
Information Management Agency (CIMA) in collaboration with Cable & Wireless.
CIMA is attached to the Prime Minister’s Ministry, and has total accountability for ICT
deployment in the nation.
2. Background
The vision of the Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Keith C. Mitchell is to have Grenada become a
knowledge base society by 2010. In order to achieve that objective, all Grenadians must
have easy, unlimited access and connectivity to the extensive repository of global
information accessible only through Internet technology. Because of the continuous
evolution of this technology, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer various
packages at prices that are at times unaffordable to many citizens of our nation. Hence,
making access to global information difficult. Retrieving the efficiencies, and benefits of
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e-government, e-business, and e-commerce become and effort in futility for some, and
insurmountable odds for others. With a National Network Infrastructure System owned
by the government in place, more control and assistance can be rendered to citizens and
users requiring appropriate incentives to achieve the levels of literacy needed to fulfill the
Prime Minister’s vision. Initially, the most significant benefit would manifest itself in the
public service, where remarkable enhancements to present processes would result.
Another area in which a government network infrastructure system is of strategic
importance is security. Most forward thinking governments in the free world have
stringent security requirements and criteria for all their e-transactions. Although the
network is a vehicle for convenient information exchange, its ease of access can become
a mortal enemy. Lack of security can attack the very core of governments weakening
them to the point of possible demise. This threat has to be averted at all cost, and the
deployment of a national network infrastructure system would be a formable opponent
towards alleviating the concerns associated with this event. Having ISP control outside
the government’s jurisdiction is definitely throwing all odds towards vulnerability. The
government, police, special force organizations, immigration and drug enforcement must
be assured of unquestionable security. Government control of security protocols, and
encryption algorithms will grant this assurance.
3. Intervention
The immediate area of focus is to establish and interconnectivity architecture that will
afford technical growth and flexibility while making use of existing local and wide area
networks for obvious cost advantages. Pockets of individual networks would have to be
evaluated and linked to the National Network Infrastructure System in adherence to the
ICT Strategy and Action Plan for Grenada.
Four major local area networks have been identified to date. These are Standard
Integrated Government Financial Information System (SIGFIS), Standard Integrated
Government Tax Administration System (SIGTAS), Royal Grenada Police Force
(RGPF), and Ministry of Education. Since they evolved independently, it would be
necessary to understand the platforms and protocol structures to facilitate connection to
the Intranet System. The intent is to construct manageable, flexible, expandable, and cost
effective platforms to enable future growth and expansion throughout the nation. Having
a common National Network Infrastructure System will provide the substrate, and
standard protocols from which local network linkages could be established.
The tendering process for Infrastructure System cost and implementation particulars is
presently being pursued. It is necessary to establish platform protocol ground rules, and
the choosing of ISPs that will provide on-going reliable support. Hence, low cost would
not necessarily be the factor upon which final decisions are hinged. A stable and robust
network is of vital importance to success of ICT deployment in the nation.
3.1 Objectives
The eventual outcome of the National Network Infrastructure System deployment is to
put in place a platform from which the Prime Minister’s vision materializes. The vision
of changing the nation into a knowledge base society by 2010, needs to have a solid
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network foundation upon which to build the necessary information technologies in order
to create the knowledge environment. Towards this end, the following objectives would
have to be accomplished:
 Assess and evaluate all local area networks within ministries and departments for
functionality, expandability, flexibility, software platforms, protocol standards,
and security.
 Design and develop a National Network Infrastructure System with bandwidth
capability to incorporate linkages to present functional networks, and
accommodate expansion and flexibility to future network requirements with
standardize protocols and intrinsic security criteria.
 Engage in a tendering process to allow fair biding by telecommunication and
Internet Service Providers for design and installation of the National Network
Infrastructure System.
 Establish a Local/Wide area network deployment strategy for the nation as part of
the national ICT strategy and action plan for Grenada.
 Establish and deploy pilot operations with specific benefits and impact to both
public and private sector, and communicate to the nation
 Develop metrics to determine that all design functionality and criteria are met.
 Share network deployment strategy within OECS and CARICOM in order to
incorporate possible best practice techniques, and to avoid replication of costly
ICT activity.
 Employ the Quality Improvement Process to ensure continuous improvement and
requirements and technologies evolve.
As part of the OECS and CARICOM member states, it is of vital importance that we
share our strategies and methodologies in the area of ICT implementation. In addition to
learning from each other resulting in cost saving measures, we will form a united front to
worldwide donor organizations showing supporting interest in the development of ICT in
the region.
3.2 Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to design and deploy a national Network Infrastructure
System that would electronically link all government ministries, departments and
statutory bodies to local and wide area networks throughout the nation. Also, to
incorporate the necessary electronic hooks to accommodate future update and expansion.
On a wider scale, appropriate documentation would be developed to facilitate the transfer
of “Best Practices” throughout the OECS member states.
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3.3 Results
The results of the project would manifest themselves in the headings described below.
National Security
One of the areas that would be positively affected by the deployment of the national
infrastructure system among others is national security. From the casual traffic
infringement to major criminal offences, a new paradigm in security and crime
prevention will emerge.
Traffic
The Grenada Royal Police Force has been involve in a total review of traffic law
enforcement. Because of the inefficiencies in being able to effectively carry out laws
pertaining to specific violations, many misdemeanors go unpunished; hence, the
inevitable perpetuation of crimes. With the deployment of the national network
infrastructure system, and wireless connections planned, information on suspects can be
readily retrieved and arrests made in a timely manner. This will result in a mark decrease
in traffic violations.
Immigration
Because of archaic systems presently in use, much data pertaining to immigration issues
are lost, or in irretrievable condition. Connection to the data reservoirs within the
Caribbean and the world at large is non-existent. Access and connectivity to the National
Network Infrastructure System will provide the medium through which improved law
enforcement techniques would become the norm.
Drug Enforcement
Apart from illegal entry, drug enforcement is another area that requires significant
security upgrades in Grenada. Having reliable data is of vital importance in the tracking
and solving of drug related incidences. Being able to retrieve information from regional
and international sources would greatly enhance law enforcement capabilities.
Connection to the National Network Infrastructure System would provide the necessary
access and security requirements to ensure proper enforcement criteria.
Public Sector
E-Government
A major concern and complaint of most governments are inefficiencies in providing data
and information to the public at large, and the tremendous waste of revenue that results
from those inefficiencies. Grenada has been lumbering under systems and procedures
that have out lived their usefulness; hence, compounding the problem as the volume of
information required increases. By moving into an e-government environment many of
the concerns and complaints would be remarkable reduced. The major platform
necessary to facilitate the move into the e-government era is the National Network
Infrastructure System.
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The impact on the public sector would be tremendous. Among the benefits realized
would be improved service to the public, greater inter-governmental communications,
more efficient information and data flow within government, and establishment of new
revenue streams.
The National Network Infrastructure System will also allow for improved flexibility and
expandability. Local and Wide Area Networks can be added as future technical and
customer demands become manifest. Additions can be made in a predictable and cost
effective manner
Private Sector
E-Business
The private sector has been making greater strides in the area of ICT because of higher
productivity and cost saving requirements. Nevertheless, only isolated areas of ebusiness protocols have been operational. An architecture accommodating the total
interaction requirements with government, and the banking system has not been
developed; hence, true ICT infrastructure benefits could not be retrieved.
The National Network Infrastructure System is part of the National ICT Strategy and
Action Plan, which comprehends all the e-interactions necessary to fulfill the
requirements for national deployment. The private sector will now be able to have access
and connectivity to local area networks external to individual networks.
E-Commerce
Doing business on the Internet is a very simple and direct definition of e-commerce. At
present, this capability can only be afforded by a few businesses in the nation. The ISP
that is serving the nation presently has economically segregated most of the island’s
inhabitance from embracing this opportunity. Because of this, many individuals in the
private sector who would like to embark on new business ventures using the Internet are
discouraged by cost; hence, the benefits awarded to those who use this facility are not
given to the majority of the nation’s citizenry.
With a National Network Infrastructure System in place and managed by the government,
access and connectivity can be had at reasonable cost. All citizens will have access to the
benefits and opportunities available on the information super highway. Websites can
now be developed for those with the entrepreneurship spirit, allowing them to test their
markets without heavy capital layout. The intranet/internet now becomes the window
through which our citizens can test the marketing of their new ventures. This would be
an area of great impact and benefit to the nation.
National Educational Initiatives
Public sector employees would also enjoy career benefits as skill requirements become
obvious in e-transaction areas. Skills in the IT arena will be of vital importance to the efuture of the nation; hence, IT training in all areas of government, business, and
commerce will form an educational industry that will provide employment opportunities.
On-line teaching techniques will be explored as a means of reaching the nation in the
time frame necessary to reap e-transactional benefits. E-learning will be key to the human
resource development strategy in the nation.
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Experience in major countries and our own recent experience in Grenada confirm that
ICT generates the need for new skills and levels of knowledge. It therefore acts as a
catalyst for the emergence for new careers and employment opportunities. The ICT
Strategy and Action Plan for Grenada envisage the development and utilization of the full
range of such skills. Skills requirement would include the following:
Keyboard skills
Speech and Marketing Skills
Transcription
Programming
Hardware assembly and maintenance
Scanning and Digitizing
CAD
GIS
Animation
Imaging
Desktop publishing
Database design, development and management
Internet professional Skills
Network professionals (Design, Build, Maintenance)
Similar range of job functions will be created in the private sector. At the professional
level, new demands will be made to enhance traditional qualifications with ICT
capabilities. This would relate to professions such as accounting, health, engineering,
education, administration, etc.
Access to Data and Information retrieval
A major benefit of this project is the development of centralized information systems.
The architecture envisaged will provide access to a common data base systems. These
information sources will be made available in the first instance to public sector users and
later to commercial users and the general citizenry. Through the use of a three-tiered
system, and with appropriate security approvals, access will be provided on a basis
designed to meet the needs of various categories of users. Some of this information may
have commercial value and a determination would be made at an appropriate juncture to
evaluate the extent to which a fee, if any may be appropriate. The governing principle
would be to provide access to useful information and data for the utilization of the
various categories of Grenada’s publics, to meet their knowledge and commercial
requirements.
Access to the information would be available though on-line capabilities, including
publicly located kiosk, as well as through call centers for those who do not possess online access
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Educational Benefits
This project provides tremendous benefits in the areas of public and private sector
education. In the public sector, many new skills will have to be acquired, hence, facilities
providing this type of capability will become pivotal in this new structure. The primary
and secondary schools now would have to produce the work force of the future, hence the
speedy training of teachers are of vital importance. The on-line capability will provide an
avenue for retrieving information and data relevant to skill improvement options.
Since different skill requirements are necessary, the government will have to develop
strategies for training its employees. In so doing, major training programs will be
administered to meet both public and private sector educational requirements.
Within the school system, changes would have to be made in curricula to accommodate
the nation’s demands for IT literacy. Since classroom space would be at a premium, the
ability to have on-line access to information would greatly enhance the efficiency of
learning for schools, and both public and private sector skill requirement programs.
Increase Revenue Streams
Because of increased productivity and efficiency within government, services to the
public will be more readily available. This service availability will result in higher
information retrieval, followed by an increased collection of associated fees and charges.
The National Network Infrastructure System will provide linkages to digitized
information that would not have been retrievable in the time frames required to have
improved revenue streams.
3.4 Principal Activities
Underlying the objectives mentioned above are specific tasks that are required to achieve
the goals as outlined in the project definition. The respective tasks are as follows:
 Choose a supplier as a result of the tendering process ensuring that the supplier
can deliver all requirements outline within an agreed time frame.
 Pursue various sources of funding for the entire project.
 Determine project phase for immediate deployment.
 Develop project management schedule and critical path analyses.
 Establish review cycles with Grenada Government, OECS, and CARICOM
member states
 Establish national communication and demonstration periods
 Establish a Quality Improvement Process that would ensure continuous
improvement in meeting national ICT objectives
4.0 Assumptions
The Central Information Management Agency (CIMA) will have full responsibility for
the deployment of the ICT strategy and action plan for Grenada. This also includes the
management of all ICT funds through the Prime Minister’s Ministry. CIMA will also
work in conjunction with the Ministry of Works and Communication to fulfill the
objectives outlined above. It is also the responsibility of CIMA to engage the OECS and
CARICOM member states in the regional progression of ICT evolution.
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CIMA will also manage the tendering process for all physical infrastructure requirements.
Reporting and status reviews will be provided and presented by CIMA
5.0 Implementation
From the time a supplier has been chosen to time of complete installation will be a period
of two years depending on funding availability. The work would be done in two phases.
Phase 1: The installation of a six-site, 360 degrees, 155Mbps backbone
Phase 2: Continued installation of another four sites to provide full coverage to the
nation. Details of a proposal from a high potential supplier are attached.
5.1 Phase 1
This phase represents the short-term goals of the Grenada Government defined in the
National ICT strategy document. A physical Intranet System is to be deployed that will
have the capability of accommodating existing local area networks as well as new
additions required to enhance productivity and efficiency in both public and private
sector arenas. To accomplish this task the Government Ministerial will have to be
electronically segmented, isolation servers would be required, firewalls would have to be
installed for security purposes, e-mail servers would have to be introduced, point-to-point
sites would have to be identified and wired, and robust software and hardware systems
would have to be installed. This is the primary phase by which the sustainability and
robustness of the entire intranet system is defined. Phase 2 would be implemented as
more national requirements are identified.
5.2 Executing Institution
The project will be managed and implemented by the Central Information Management
Agency (CIMA) within Prime Minister Dr. Keith C. Mitchell’s Ministry. The
responsibility for all ICT activity in Grenada lies within CIMA under the directorate of
Cecil R. M. Bartholomew. Contact information is as follows:
Mr. Cecil R.M. Bartholomew
Director, ICT Grenada
Prime Minister’s Office
Ministerial Complex
Botanical Gardens
St. George’s, Grenada, W.I.
Office Phone: 473-435-2956
FAX:
473-440-4116
Secretary:
473 – 440-2383
Central Information Management Agency (CIMA)
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CIMA assumes full accountability for the implementation of the ICT Strategy and Action
Plan of Grenada. CIMA’s goal is to achieve the vision and mission for the country as
described above, through the objectives to follow:
Functional Objectives of CIMA
CIMA will perform the following:
 Complete final version of strategy and action plan document
 Disseminate information, and market all elements of the plan to public sector and
Nation
 Establish tasks and projects, and prioritize to meet short term and long term goals
 Develop proposals with respect to implementation criteria and present to cabinet
 Define roles and responsibilities for the managing of specific areas of ICT
implementation
 Facilitate and liaise with Ministries responsible for areas of ICT deployment to
ensure focus and continuity with the plan
 Develop and manage budgets related to the implementation of the plan
 Facilitate in coordination exercises relative to implementation of existing ICT
projects such as Ministerial e-mailing capabilities, LAN standardization
techniques, and other national ICT deployment endeavors
 Expedite and make available the legal media through which ICT tasks become
manifest
 Assume accountability for any ICT government site acquisition activity
 Enforce standardization disciplines within National Network Development
 The sourcing of critical resources necessary for the completion of tasks leading
towards plan objectives
 Assist in the development of other agencies or councils responsible for bridging
the digital divide in the public and private sector
 Ensure appropriate training strategies are in place to meet national IT training
qualification criteria
 Ensure the inclusion of measurement systems within the ICT framework to
monitor for continuous improvement possibilities
5.3 Execution Period
The estimated schedule for Phase 1 is one year from the time monies are released. The
engineering designs are completed by the CIMA organization. Functions remaining are
as follows:
 Pursuing Funding Opportunities
TBD months
 Infrastructure System Design
Completed
 Ordering Equipment
2 months
 Ministerial Building Segmentation
2 months
 Wireless Installation
3 months
 Software/Hardware Installation
3 months
 Infrastructure System Check
1 month
 Documentation
1 month
 Training
On Going
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Estimated Total Time
12 Months
Annual Cost Estimate (US)
The estimated time frame for phase 1 is twelve months (12) at an estimated cost of
US750K. The breakdown of cost and details are as follows:
Activities
Year 1
GoG
Done
Year 1
50
200
CIMA
100
CIMA/C&W
50
200
Software/Hardware
installation
CIMA
50
150
Infrastructure
System Check
CIMA
N/A
Documentation
CIMA
N/A
Training
CIMA
TOTALS
150
Infrastructure
System Design
Equipment
Ordering
Building
Segmentation
Wireless
Installation
650
Comments
The infrastructure was completed as
part of the National Strategy by
CIMA
Equipment has been identified for
the project, orders need to be placed
The design and work for electronic
segmentation will be fulfilled by
CIMA
A choice was made through the
tendering process to use C&W for
this task based on cost and
availability
This activity deals with the software
and hardware used in the
configuration of the Intranet system
The complete system will be
checked, validated, and supported
by CIMA
System drawings and documentation
would be developed to ensure proper
maintenance procedures, and best
practice transfer
Training packages for ICDL
certification are presently utilized
Total Phase 1 project expenditure
Phase 2
Phase 2, the expansion phase, deals with access and connectivity concerns throughout the
nation. The approach to this phase would be less aggressive, since local area sites would
be determined by identifiable needs. The intent is to manage the expansion base on
national requirements, cost, and population benefit. Projects would then be developed to
it the needs identified.
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5.5 Special conditions and accompanying measures taken by the Government
The Government of Grenada has completed a National Strategy and Action Plan
outlining all phase and facets of ICT deployment in the nation. An agency, CIMA, has
also been instituted with an expert having full accountability for the deployment of ICT.
To ensure the sustainability of this project, the Government is presently engaged in
training exercises, and public sector reform activities that will ensure retrieval of
productivity and efficiency benefits available on the intranet system. The Government is
also keenly involved on an OECS level, in order to ensure that standardization protocols,
and best practices are equally utilized.
6.0 Factors ensuring sustainability
Work processes have been developed to ensure the progressive success of the project.
Details schedules for work progression and cost monitoring will be instituted on the
Microsoft Project facility. Set review periods would be established and presented to all
relevant participants. For short and long term sustainability, training and special
maintenance support groups will be the means by which maximum uptime and system
throughput would be achieved and maintained.
6.1 Policy Support
A legal and regulatory framework is of vital importance to the success of ICT
deployment within the OECS. Consultants contracted by USAID to fulfill that
requirement are addressing this action. On the national level, outlines of legislation have
been offered in the national strategy document. These outlines will be incorporated into
the OECS scheme of events in order to promote commonality among member states in
the legal usage of e-transactions.
6.2 Appropriate Technology
A 155Mb backbone will be constructed connecting six predetermined sites. The
bandwidth was chosen to accommodate expansion for the next ten to fifteen years, and
can be upgraded when necessary with minimum disruption to national e-transactions.
The intranet system will accommodate both voice and video. The software would be
established on Microsoft 2000 platforms. This choice was made to maintain
standardization within the nation, and other OECS member states. Technology within
developing countries mature at a much slower rate than first world countries, hence, a
longer useful technological life can be expected. The platforms chosen are also well
supported by the software houses from which they were purchased.
6.3 Environmental Protection
The National Network Infrastructure System will accommodate the local area network
dealing with national disaster issues. The department responsible for National Disaster
issues and concerns will now have communication and information capability to more
efficiently address predictability and disaster management issues. Other national
environmental concerns can now be addressed more expeditiously.
6.4 Scio-cultural aspects/women in development
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A training program for all public servants is in process. This will enable and facilitate
skill enhancements and new career opportunities. Information Management Units will be
developed in each ministry and department to manage and support the e-transaction
media, hence, providing areas of opportunity for all genders. This approach will be
proliferated throughout the nation.
6.5 Institutional and management capacity (Public and Private)
CIMA has total accountability for the deployment of ICT in the nation. In addition,
committees are established with representation from both public and private sectors.
Information sessions are held with NGOs and businesses in order to gain the input
necessary to meet national requirements. CIMA manages all interactions and incorporate
feedback that embellishes the deployment strategy to gain wider consensus among
eventual beneficiaries of ICT.
6.6 Economic and financial analysis
A seventy five percent productivity improvement within the public sector is expected
when the national network infrastructure system is implemented. Return on investments
manifest itself in the areas of administration, information retrieval efficiency, and overall
reduction in personnel required within the public sector. New revenue streams would
become apparent, since more timely responses to national requirements can be realized.
The productivity percentage was calculated base on time and material saved by being on
the government intranet system.
7.0 Monitoring and evaluation
A quality improvement process (QIP) would be instituted to ensure that the project’s
objectives are met. This process is used in major corporations worldwide to produce cost
effective products that meet customer requirements. This process is also used to promote
continuous improvement, and highlight opportunities for best practice transfer to other
member states. Review and status cycles are natural outcomes of this process. The
national network and infrastructure system will incorporate the QIP in areas where
productivity improvements are desirable for the increase of government and national
revenue streams.
Conclusion
The future of Grenada becoming a knowledge base society hinges on this project.
Government productivity, efficiency, transfer of digital information, Website linkages,
and other e-government enterprises will need this medium as the platform for all etransactions. As local and wide area networks are established, the nation would enjoy
new technical freedoms resulting in improved service to public and private sector, greater
entrepreneurship opportunities for the nation, increased revenue to the government, and
the eventual eradication of poverty within the nation.
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