Prime Minister Petr Fiala has described the recent analysis of digitalization in construction procedures as “devastating,” following a government meeting today. The report, which was presented to the cabinet last week, was conducted by experts without any official assignment, Fiala stated.
The analysis, prepared by a coalition of several ministries, suggested that the digitalized construction system could reach an acceptable state within 12 to 18 months, requiring the efforts of about 50 individuals and an estimated additional investment of CZK 200 to 300 million. However, Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization and Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartoš has questioned the legitimacy of the report, implying it may have been fabricated to justify his potential removal from office.
Bartoš criticized the analysis as hastily assembled and claimed it was essentially a series of points in a PowerPoint presentation from a subordinate of Labour Minister Marian Jurečka. He expressed concern that the document had been leaked to journalists intentionally, suggesting it was prepared in advance to support his dismissal from the government.
Fiala defended the authenticity of the analysis, stating that prior to the system’s launch, the government had already received warnings from practitioners regarding potential issues with the construction process. He emphasized that Bartoš had been given multiple deadlines to resolve these problems but failed to provide a crisis management scenario when requested. Consequently, Fiala has proposed to President Petr Pavel the dismissal of Bartoš.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that a team of experts has been working on the digitalization efforts across various government sectors, aiming to assess the current system and identify necessary improvements. “The analysis was overwhelming,” Fiala remarked. “These are dedicated individuals who understand the complexities of this issue and are committed to making the system functional.”
Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura supported Fiala’s claims, asserting that the analysis was genuine and not politically motivated. He confirmed that the conclusions of the report were not disputed by any experts. Stanjura noted that ministers at the cabinet meeting inquired about the timeline for the system’s implementation but did not receive a satisfactory answer.
Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný also weighed in, stating that the cabinet meeting included expert presentations that provided clear data. He cautioned against setting additional deadlines for resolution, suggesting that doing so would likely lead to continued stagnation or further setbacks. “If we set another deadline for the end of October, the situation will not improve; it may remain the same or even worsen,” he warned.
Source: CTK
