The Ministry of Innovation, under the leadership of Minister Gerlien Croes, has officially presented the results of the ICTU Pressure Cooker, an intensive evaluation and planning process focused on strengthening information and communication technology (ICT) within Aruba’s public sector.
The Pressure Cooker was organized with the support of Stichting ICTU, the Dutch government organization responsible for ICT implementation, and in collaboration with TWO. Over the course of an intensive week, ICT experts from various government institutions worked closely together to assess the current ICT landscape and define concrete next steps toward a more coordinated, efficient, and future-ready digital government.
The assessment revealed that Aruba currently lacks a centralized ICT structure within government operations. ICT services and resources are purchased independently by individual departments, while technical knowledge and capacity are spread across multiple entities. This fragmented approach limits efficiency, collaboration, and the optimal use of resources.
As a key outcome of the ICTU Pressure Cooker Aruba, the working group concluded that establishing a Shared Service Organization (SSO) for ICT is essential. An ICT SSO would centralize expertise, infrastructure, and core services—such as software licensing, cybersecurity, data management, cloud services, and general technical support—allowing all government departments to operate within a unified and more efficient system.
The Ministry of Innovation has already outlined the essential requirements for the next phase of implementation. The proposed approach focuses on a structured program that includes workforce training and development, interdepartmental cooperation, sustainable financing, strategic staffing, and centralized procurement of ICT services and resources.
The results of the ICTU Pressure Cooker mark the beginning of a new phase in Aruba’s digital transformation. With this initiative, Aruba takes an important step toward building a more efficient, modern, and digitally prepared government for the future.
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