JCC calls for open data

The Joint Consultative Council highlights a critical barrier to Trinidad and Tobago’s progress: the limited public access to data generated by publicly funded agencies. Despite citizens already paying for these services through taxes, essential information from institutions like universities and utility providers remains inaccessible behind cumbersome applications or costly transactions. This reality contradicts the nation’s membership in the Open Government Partnership, revealing a significant gap between stated commitments and actual implementation. Open access to such data offers profound economic and societal benefits, including invigorated local entrepreneurship, improved transparency, and enhanced public oversight. International evidence demonstrates that open data frameworks stimulate business creation, job growth, and GDP expansion. Locally, the Office of Procurement Regulation serves as a successful precedent, proving that transparent, machine-readable data builds trust and accountability across both government and private sectors. The article underscores the urgency for Trinidad and Tobago to adopt global best practices, particularly in the era of big data and artificial intelligence. Without open datasets, the nation risks missing opportunities for smart infrastructure and regional technological leadership. The JCC advocates for systemic reform where open data becomes the default, requiring dedicated portals, robust governance, and a cultural shift within agencies. This approach is essential for fostering innovation, strengthening democracy, and ensuring national competitiveness in the digital age.

Source: guardian.co.tt
Published on 2025-10-10

JCC calls for open data

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