Nigerian Government ToExpand Digital Governance Platform-Communications Minister

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The Minister ofCommunications, Barr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu today  in Abuja said efforts areon to expand the number of Data Centres in the country as part ofgovernment’splan to expand its presence on a digital platform, 1-gov.net.

The platform, apartfrom consolidating existing government ICT infrastructure, it also enables MDAsto exchange data in a seamless manner while allowing each other to remainindependent and maintain its privacy and the security of its operatives.

The Special Assistant to theMinister on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare in a press release said Barr. Shittustated this in a keynote address titled Empowering DigitalGovernments to share latest innovative technology trends and governmentsolutions with emphasis on Microsoft’s Technology platform to improve thecapabilities of government within Nigeria”.whichhe delivered at the 2017 Microsoft Digital Government Conference held at theTranscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The minister said through the1-gov.net, government has become more participative and accessible wherecitizens can participate in policy process through discussions, suggestions andonline-polls.

“Various GovernmentDepartments are using this platform for seeking inputs on a wide range ofissues. Using the 1-gov.net Platform, Government has been able to save 30% ofwhat it would have expended on a unit per unit cost. As at date 90% of all MDAswithin Abuja are linked with fiber backbone and 3,500 locations of differentMDAs have been touched across the country. About 270 MDAs websites andapplications are being hosted on the network, adding that“Government has recordedsuccess in 1-gov.net, we now focus on some services that have direct bearing onthe present administration’s priorities, and we determined to continue with theshared ICT infrastructure and services initiative in the MDAs. The 1-gov.net ispromoting Whole-of-Government approaches in the information Age based on sharedservices. This approach will enhance productivity of government officials,increase experience of patrons of government services, enhance security anddrive out the menace of corruption.

He said the governmentrecognizes the urgent need to increase efficiency and transparency, improve andalign processes, smart government and smartcities, attract new investors, bridge the digital divide, transformgovernment transaction services, data-driven government, better access to andmanagement of information, thereby enhancing citizen satisfaction and trust,meeting the needs of rapidly changing demographics and balancing costs whileoptimizing efficiency.

According to him, digitalgovernment is a vision statement that seeks to bring about citizen empowermentby harnessing the potentials of ICTs as well as seeking to transform governmentinto digitally empowered society and knowledge economy in a manner thatgovernment is available on the palm of every citizen, where – The Government isopen and the Governance Transparent.

Digital Government, he said,does not comprise the digital architecture alone, but it encompasses digital deliveryof citizen-centric services, and ultimately, digital empowerment of the people.

He said, “Internet users inNigeria have crossed 90 million. The mobile users have also crossed 156millionmark. The smart phone users are more than 60 million. Today, from booking oftrain tickets to payment of fees and taxes, from post office and bankingtransactions to issue of digital documents, online registrations to onlineapplications and e-services, Digital Revolution is seen everywhere and touchesalmost every aspect of life of a common citizen.

Barr. Shittu disclosed thatgovernment invests in shared ICT Infrastructure to secure the benefits of lowercost, increased security, increased innovation and faster service delivery,adding that government is supporting the development and sustenance of ICTapplications that are driving cost effectiveness and transparency in GovernmentService Delivery. He added that applications supporting the Treasury SingleAccounts (TSA), IPPIS, Budget Portal and BVN verifications among others arealready resulting in huge savings.

The Ministry ofCommunications, he said,has expanded the Open Government Data Portal which is apart of the Federal Government Open Data Initiative, stressing that many civilservants have been trained across MDAs on the use of the portal.

He said government wouldappreciate the opportunity for Microsoft to help train our local ICT savvyyouth and key into our local content policy on current projects and prioritiesto ensure a smooth transition, while he emphasized that Nigeria is the newbride in empowering Digital Governments to share latest innovative technologytrends and Government solutions to improve the capabilities of governmentwithin Nigeria.

Commending the digitalgiant, he said,“I take this opportunity to applaud Microsoft and itscontributions in the development and growth of the country through this nobleinitiative. The Ministry of Communications will continue to partner with theorganized Private sector, and other stakeholders, in its bid to move thedigitization efforts of the country forward. I would like once again tocongratulate the Microsoft team for organizing this timely and commendableconference.

“I am aware that Microsoftin collaboration with the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA) & Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) are committed tosupporting the government’s transformation by leveraging technology to driveproductivity and empower citizens to do more regardless of location and time.Citizens’ engagement is a key performance indicator of any government andMicrosoft, NITDA & NCC can provide robust platforms that help citizensprovide feedback and queries to their leaders. Ultimately, digitallytransforming government leads to good governance, accountability to citizensand builds trust between the government and its citizenry”.


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