Saturday, December 03, 2005
Beit-Mery municipality makes technological leap

BEIRUT: The Mount Lebanon village of Beit-Mery Ain Saadeh has announced its adoption of the Municipal Geographic Information System (MGIS), becoming one of the first local governments in Lebanon to benefit from the use of advanced technology. The system will facilitate and improve the municapality's administrative, financial and engineering work.

MGIS was developed by the Center for Legislative Development of the State University of New York University at Albany, and implemented as part of a $17 million municipal reform program funded by USAID to enhance administrative and financial capacities. The system is electronically linked to administrative and financial databases, allowing municipalities to map more than 70 layers of information relevant to local planning, inspection, audit, assessment and collection processes.

Use of the MGIS will enable decision-makers to promote transparency and accountability in the assessment and collection of taxes and fees, and ensure that building and advertising licenses are properly issued. MGIS will be used by municipal councils to support the identification and implementation of economic development projects related to tourism, industry, agriculture and other sectors.

The gathering to commemorate the launch of MGIS was attended by MP Ghassan Moukheiber, USAID Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef and SUNY/CLD Director Mahmoud Batlouni.

Beit Mery-Ain Saadeh Municipal President Antoine Maroun emphasized the importance of the assistance, which he acknowledged came about through the vision of the previous municipal president, the late Antoine Assaf.

He also offered his appreciation to Youssef and Batlouni for their efforts in making the program a reality.

Batlouni spoke about the progress of the administrative and technological reform already under way in the engineering department.

He said that a survey will be conducted to assess citizens' perceptions of the impact of activities and progress within the municipality.

For his part, Youssef said that Lebanon was not a appealing environment for investors, but programs like MGIS would change its status.

"We are moving forward today with the MGIS to enhance municipal work, to achieve complete transparency in dealing with administrative, engineering and tax information, to facilitate research and the provision of precise information, and to increase employee efficiency in transaction processing and in communication with citizens. Building strong municipal foundations and involving citizens in social, cultural, and development activities, would enhance transparency and accountability and further democratic practices," said Youssef.

Source: The Daily Star