President Muhammadu Buhari has
said that the current administration was committed to eliminating corruption in
the country.
The President said his
administration was not leaving any stone unturned in the battle against graft,
while advising the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA,
to work with all relevant agencies to ensure full compliance with government
directive on preference for locally produced goods and services.
President Buhari spoke at the
first day of a 2-day and conference awards night organised by National
Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA at the International
Conference Centre, Abuja which began on Monday.
President Buhari declared open
the 2018 e-Nigeria international conference and exhibition, organised by NITDA.
He was accompanied by former
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu who
was also the keynote speaker; Minister of Information, Adebayo Shittu; Minister
of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalong; among others.
Buhari also charged NITDA to
report any government agency that failed to comply with the new IT Clearance
directive.
President Buhari said, “All these
are aimed at promoting the digital economy in an era of disruptive technology
through effective regulations."
“Of particular note is NITDA’s
initiative focused on the Registration of IT Contractors and Service Providers
in collaboration with other regulatory bodies with special emphasis on
competencies.
“This will ensure the delivery of
quality IT projects, as well as facilitate the development of indigenous IT
companies in line with global best practices.
‘‘You may also recall the remark
about NITDA’s efforts at enforcing Federal Government’s directive on ensuring
that all ICT projects in the country are cleared by it before implementation.
‘‘This will ensure that
government’s ICT procurements are transparent, aligned with government’s IT
shared vision and policy, lead to cost savings through promotion of shared
services, avoid duplication, ensure compatibility of IT systems and improve
efficiency in government business, enforce the patronage of indigenous
companies where capacity exists; and uphold the highest standards for service
delivery.
“In this administration’s efforts
at ensuring full realisation of these objectives, a new Circular was issued in
August this year, to reiterate this directive.
‘‘NITDA is expected to work with
all relevant government agencies to ensure full compliance with this directive.
Defaulters of IT Clearance among the public establishments are to be reported
to government.
‘‘We are serious about fighting
corruption. We must not fail in our quest to eliminate corruption in government
businesses and in the wider society.
“I understand that the agency
worked with relevant stakeholders in developing the document. I continue to
encourage the Agency to use its regulatory instruments in ensuring full
socialisation and implementation of this document.
“We emphasised the need for the
public service to be highly competitive, innovative and digitally-enabled to
deliver public services and effectively drive government programs and policies.
“I note that NITDA and other
relevant government agencies have taken this up by creating the enabling
environment through the development of policies, frameworks, standards and
guidelines.
“I am aware that some of these
regulatory instruments have been subjected to critical scrutiny and revision
through a series of stakeholder engagements.
“Efforts should be intensified at
making them public as well as sensitising public servants and the general
public about the value of these regulatory instruments.
“The enforcement of the use of
the policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and
the impact they have made on the administration’s public financial management
reforms.”
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