After a successful implementation of phase one of the e-Government project, the Nigerian Government and the Republic of Korea are getting set to kick-start the second phase of the project in Nigeria.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami received delegates from the Korea International Corporation Agency, KOICA, led by the Vice President, Mr Song Woon-yeob who were on a working visit to the e-Government Training Centre in Abuja to discuss the implementation structure for the intended second phase.
During the visit, the minister said the center which was handed over to Nigeria in 2019 has been equipped with three lecture halls and other facilities to enhance e-government programmes.
Facilitate digital transformation
The department for e-Government and Development was established in 2017, National Information and Technology Development Agency which was to primarily facilitate digital transformation in the public sector.
It is also saddled with the responsibility of enhancing an enabling ICT regulatory environment that is highly friendly to Indigenous ICT growth, foreign investment and the general ICT industry development in Nigeria.
“Facilitate, coordinate and oversee deployment of IT systems at all levels of Government in Nigeria to support creation of innovative, responsive, efficient, effective and accessible government digital services delivery.”
It was also created to Initiate and facilitate the development, implementation, compliance and enforcement of IT regulatory instruments such as Policies, Standards, Guidelines, frameworks and Regulations for the growth of the IT industry and sustainable national.
Professor Pantami stated that before the handover, five courses where developed and lectures includes: Executive Course I, Executive Course II, Professional course, e-Security Course, e-Government Project Planning and Development Course stating that a total of nine e-Government trainings were held on these courses all together and over 1500 participants graduated.
“I am happy to announce to you that upon the handing over of this centre to the ministry in 2019, the e-Government training centre has graduated close to 1000 participants, despite the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and the trainings are still ongoing,” the minister noted
He said: “We believe there is room for improvement in the target number of participants and we are working assiduously towards that improvement.”
The Minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Aliyu Nabasu.
Very important enablers
Vice President, KOICA, Mr.Woong-yoeb while addressing the meeting stated that there were two very important enablers needed to successfully implement the second phase of the e-Government project.
He said: “They are the implementation structure which is having an institutional foundation in the form of a Presidential Implementation Council; and the second enabler is the strong leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy as a coordinator.
“Without this kind of infrastructure, I mean the presidential implementation council and the strong leadership of the Honourable Minister, I am afraid it will be very difficult for us to implement the second phase.”
Mr. Woong-yeob explained that on the basis of the outcome of the first phase of the e-Government project, KOICA was impressed and willing to proceed with the second phase of the e-Government projects.
“One of the best practices conducted by KOICA is this project. The e-Government Training Centre that is why as we signed another record of discussion last August to the second phase of e-Government Projects here in Nigeria.”
He stated that: “At the first phase, the Agency prepared the Masterplan for e-Government here in Nigeria and we would like to do some more with close collaboration in the second phase.”
Others in attendance were Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa represented by Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, Director IT Infrastructure Solutions; Director eGovernment Training Centre, Professor Suleiman Mohammed; Country Director KOICA, Mr Woo Chan Chang amongst other.
The highlight of the working visit was a tour of facilities at the centre.
Lateefah Ibrahim
