Telecommunication. However, this limits its mandate in carrying out the objectives
set out in this policy. The Government will ensure MoPT’s mandate is sufficient to
see the SET agenda to fruition.
6.1 Government Institutional Structures to achieve SET
1. MoPT, being a ministry with a broad mandate having oversight on
telecommunications, information technology, broadcasting infrastructure
(masts and spectrum), and postal services;
2. A Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the government based at the Executive
Office and supported by a CIO Council comprising all MAC CIOs and a
Secretariat. CIOs in each ministry will have dual reporting functions - to the
CIO Council, and to their Ministry (see below);
3. The LTA continues as the ICT regulator with responsibility for
telecommunications, broadcasting radio frequencies, and with possibility of
postal services were the posts to be made autonomous;
4. The National Engineering Coordinating team (NECT) hosted by Ministry of
Public Works and co-chaired by MoPT to coordinate ICT planning on all civil
works, to agree on standards, and ensure ICT infrastructure is incorporated
in all roads (existing, resurfaced and new roads), rail, electricity lines, etc.;
6.2 Role of Government
The key roles of government in the ICT sector are:
1. Strategic leadership and coordination in promoting the use of ICT. To be most
effective, this should be driven by the office of the Head of State;
2. Ensuring there is an enabling environment for the commercial deployment of
ICT infrastructure; This is the responsibility of the MoPT and the regulatory
authorities;
3. Providing support for ensuring access to voice and data services is
affordable and available to all members of Liberian society; This is the job
of the regulatory authorities and the Universal Access Fund;
4. Supporting the adoption of ICT within government, both for internal
administration and for transactions with the public and business; this
extends to providing connectivity to government institutions, hosting data
and supporting the development of relevant e-government applications.
6.3 The Role of the National ICT Governing Board
Given the importance and cross-cutting role of ICT, it is important that coordination takes
place at the top executive level guided by representatives from each of the key stakeholder
ministries. Hence, this policy establishes a National ICT Governing Board, to include MOPT,
Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, LTA, Ministry of
State, Mobile Network Operators and representatives from the Civil society. The National
ICT Governing Board shall be responsible to set the mandate and the programs of the ICT
sector. The board shall be headed by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
ICT Champions and the CIO Council
The President of Liberia shall assume the leadership of the National ICT Champion
network. All heads of public institutions such as Ministries, Agencies and Academic
Institutions shall play equally supporting roles in their various institutions as local ICT
Champions to promote the usage of ICT in Government. As such, the executive line
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