IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The week-long workshop with the theme “E-Library Services as a Tool for Achieving the Transformation Agenda in Nigeria” is holding under the auspices of the Librarian’s Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) in conjunction with the Kenneth Dike Library of the University of Ibadan.

Already, the Ministry of Communications Technology and key players in the industry are in discussions with offshore companies that are interested in establishing local companies to manufacture devices. It is also discussing with the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Investment on the most appropriate import and tax regime as an incentive for local manufacture.

Besides other priorities that will shape activities in the information and communications technology sector in 2017, stakeholders are also pushing for the Nigerian Local Content Development Law, writes Emma Okonji

Although 2016 was perceived as a tough year for telecoms and information technology (IT) business, ICT stakeholders are of the view that 2017 could be a better year if certain critical measures are put in place by government to drive development of the industry. Among all identified factors that will shape ICT activities in 2017, the Nigerian Local Content Development, topped the agenda.

One instrument that can be used to achieve efficiency at the Local Government level is the electronic government otherwise known as e-government

It refers to the use of an internet technology platform for information exchange, services provision and interaction among citizens, businesses, and government institutions, and for making government more accountable, transparent and effective.

Objectives of e-Government

The objectives of e-Government include; to replace traditional governance with electronic governance; to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Local Government Administration thereby improving government fiscal prudence and budget performance, to ease accessibility of government information and services for citizens, and other government organizations, and to maximize productivity and quality. Other include, to promote good governance, to develop ICT competence among government employees, to Manage ICT resources in sustainable manner, to reduce cost of service delivery, and to eliminate waste.

According to the report, the astronomical increase in fiscal returns will be driven largely by an expected boost in the population of mobile internet subscribers from 7.7 million users in 2013 to 50.4 million at the end of 2018 making it the most rapid growth rate in the world.

Welcomes New Port City initiative

The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has expressed profound excitement and commendation on the flag-off of the Digitization scheme for the e-Governance of all operations at the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA).

He has also welcomed the New Port City initiative which would develop a housing scheme over 1000 ha at the Elementary axis where the Alesa Highland Sustainable Smart City is proposed.

Stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are pushing for an aggressive infrastructure rollout across the country this new year.

In a major boost to Nigeria’s real estate and smart infrastructure sector, Metrospeed Property Development Limited has signed a landmark partnership with Chevron Employees Multipurpose Cooperative Society (CEMCS) to fast-track the development of the highly anticipated Metro Smart City project in Lagos.

The partnership, according to a statement was formalized recently in Lagos. This strategic alliance marks a significant step in transforming Lagos into a modern urban hub through innovation, sustainability, and integrated smart living.

Nigeria’s smart city initiative gets a major boost, as Metrospeed Property Development Limited and ExxonMobil Staff Cooperative Society Limited signed an investment agreement to extend the major milestones for the emerging Metro Smart City in Lagos.

The partnership, formalized at Metrospeed’s Lekki headquarters, reinforces growing investor confidence in the 97-hectare urban innovation project, which aims to redefine modern city living through technology-driven planning and sustainable infrastructure.

Speaking in her office on the cele­bration of the 2012 World Telecommu­nication and Information Society Day, the minister said such support could be through scholarship schemes, special competitions in ICT amongst girls and women and employment opportunities to help empower them to live better lives and reduce poverty.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has stated that there is obvious need for concerted actions by stakeholders in information management sphere to improve data management, enhance the quality, improve quality of decisions and ultimately yield outcomes beneficial to citizens.

The minister, in a speech delivered at this year’s Institute of Information Management’s Annual Lecture, held at the University of Lagos, said that every decision, policy or programme administered by the government used information.

The minister made the call at the second meeting of the National Council on Communications Technology (NCCT) held recently in Akure, Ondo State.

According to the minister, "Synergy among national and sub-national institutions is of critical importance if the current Information and Communications Technology (ICT) gains are to be sustained."

The Minister said that the government officials must ensure that the country reaps the expected result for it’s socio-economic development by creating digital jobs.

The Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, has reiterated the need for government officials to take the issue of E-Government from theoretical to practical approach to ensure effective implementation E-Government, in line with the next level agenda of Mr. President.

She stated this in her Office in Abuja during the House of Representatives Committee on Communication, oversight visit to the ministry at the weekend. The minister listed the priorities of the ministry as including infrastructure provision, inclusive development, job creation, eGovernment and sustaining a sound regulatory environment for ICTs to thrive in Nigeria.

The 'Switch to gov.ng'is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology. Johnson, while speaking on the initiative, said it was a simple but very important tool for the take-off of the official electronic communication platform in the Federal Civil Service of the federation.

The minister who disclosed this in Lagos while unveiling the ministry road-map to stakeholders at a round table on “Creation of a Digital Economy and Information Society in Nigeria", said government is the big procurer and utilizer of ICT, therefore the ministry will begin to work with government to facilitate effective use of ICT to create transparency and accountability in government businesses.

Mr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications says the Communications sector roadmap and the e-government master plan are ready for implementation. Adebayo made this known when he paid a visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) late Monday in Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by Mr Sunny Echono, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said that the ministry was poised to commence the implementation of the documents.

To achieve the objective, the two ministries have raised committees charged with the responsibility of working out the modalities for the take-off of the project.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, Education minister and Mrs. Omobola Johnson, her Communication Technology counterpart, who met in Abuja last weekend, have resolved to set up an Inter- Ministerial Committee for the take off of the e-government process re-engineering approach in the ministry.

She said the decision was part of the current measures by the government to bring all Information Technology (IT)-based activities of the MDAs to a single platform thereby engendering a connected government that allows for sharing of facilities and information among government’s parastatals. According to the minister, the ministry would use the medium to accomplish the dream of achieving true e-government in the country. “Another thing we are looking at is ICT in government.

Recognising the huge role engineers play in an economy, the Ministry of Communications Technology has solicited their support in its drive towards sustaining the various e-government initiatives in the country.

Speaking in Lagos at the Academy Technology Dinner of The Nigerian Academy of Engineering, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said that there was a huge role for engineers to play in the country’s drive towards e-government implementation.