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 Buhar said, “All these are aimed at promoting the digital
economy in an era of disruptive technology through effective
regulations,” in the event monitored by DAILY POST.
“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.”