Abuja, July 30, 2010 (NAN) The Federal Government on Friday announced the constitution of a committee to improve efficiency through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Vice President Namadi Sambo announced the establishment of the committeein Abuja at a meeting with government functionaries and stakeholders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was convened to brainstorm, emphasise and galvanise the effective utilisation of ICT as a tool for effective governance.
Sambo said the committee which has four weeks to submit its report, would be headed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Abubakar Ka’oje.
He stated that the committee had been empowered to co-opt more members who could support and add value to its recommendations.
He said the Ministry of Science and Technology would serve as the Secretariat for the committee.
Sambo identified ICT as the fulcrum for national development.
``I view ICT as a tool for attainment of e-government as it has the advantage of reducing duplication of effort and ensures the efficient maximisation of time.
``I consider it (ICT) in the same category as power and agree that political will is required to ensure its full implementation,’’ the Vice President noted.
Sambo said that the Federal Government was ready to invest in ICT ``as lots of funds exist all over the world to be accessed by governments towards such project of urgent national importance.’’
Sambo frowned at the indiscriminate sighting of masts ``especially in residential areas which experts say may be hazardous to health.’’
Earlier, Prof Kaoje, had stressed the need to harmonise all ICT initiatives in the country for better coordination, efficiency, service delivery, standardisation, and cost effectiveness.
He said that the measure had become necessary so as to transform Nigeria into one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020.
He noted that some of the challenges affecting the smooth implementation of the ICT policy was the lack of sustained political will, uncoordinated implementation, inadequate legislation and infrastructure.
Others, according to him, are poor funding, low ICT literacy level and affordability of end user of the equipment.
Ka’oje called for the establishment of a National Advisory Committee on e-government.
The stakeholders agreed on the need to urgently harmonise the ICT initiatives in the country, saying that it had the potential of generating $100 million annually for the country. (NAN)
SYCAD//BP
=========