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Plateau issues guidelines for clearance of IT projects as Lalong deepens transparency in public spending (Photos)

 

Plateau state government has issued guidelines for clearance of IT projects by all
ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in line with Governor Simon
Lalong’s drive for transparency and more prudent spending of public funds.

This was made in a formal presentation of the new ICT Guidelines at the State Audit Department when the Director General of ThePlateau State
Information and Communication Development Agency PICTDA,
David Daser in company of the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Gyang and the Chairman Plateau internal Revenue Board, Arlak Dashe, paid a courtesy visit to the State Auditor General, Mr Michael d Setle. 

 

David Daser, said under
the new rule, MDAs are required to obtain clearance from the Plateau State
Information and Communication Development Agency (PICTDA) for their IT
projects. MDAs that fail to comply with the guidelines on IT clearance risk
serious sanction including criminal prosecution in line with Governor Lalong’s
agenda for sustainable development, public expenditure accountability and
elimination of duplicity of projects within public institutions. Further more the DG PICTDA Stated that the
new guidelines for clearance of IT projects is in conformity with the administration’s
zero tolerance for corruption and “determination to ensure that public funds
are used strictly for the benefit of the people of Plateau.” Among
other objectives, the new guidelines will ensure that IT projects are not
duplicated; allow for integration of IT systems and services by MDAs to save
costs, promote shared services, interoperability and improve efficiency; ensure
that the technology and services procured are suitable for Plateau State from
the point of view of security and the environment; guaranty indigenous capacity
for after-sales-service to sustain the project beyond the initial deployment;
and also help to promote indigenous content and preference for indigenous
companies where capacity or the product or service exists; and that the
technology being implemented is up-to-date.

 The PlateauState Auditor General, Mr Michael d Setle. in response said that the guidelines were apt and would help the audit department as they are not well informed in on ICT procurement stating that it will be a great relief that an agency like PICTDA will be responsible for clearance on ICT projects and purchases.


The team later proceeded to the state ministry of information where the same guidelines were presented to the commissioner of Information who was represented by the permanent secretary, Elder Michel Pam.

 

Last
year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) rated Plateau State as the least
corrupt state in Nigeria after Imo State in its Second Corruption Survey Report.
The survey was conducted in collaboration with other partner international
agencies including the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs &
Crime.

For
Plateau state, the rating validated the efforts of Governor Simon Lalong to entrench
good governance, accountability, and transparency in the management of public
funds.

 



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