…Commissions multiple digital economy projects
The Federal Government has formally launched the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institutions while also commissioning an emergency communications centre and four more digital economy centres across the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami who is the chief host at the event, in his address, said all digital economy projects were carefully thought out and executed efficiently to ensure the sustainable growth of the country’s digital economy.
He explained that the paradigm shift to virtual engagements in official circles globally, occasioned by the COVID 19 Pandemic, necessitated the need for a policy to give legal impetus to the practice in public institutions.
The policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council on October 14, 2020 and was developed in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Pantami said the policy would institutionalise frameworks and standards within ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of governments as well as government -owned companies using virtual engagement as an administrative procedure in service and significantly reduce the cost of governance.
In line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, the facilities commissioned under the auspices of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will enhance security, create digital jobs, promote knowledge-based economic growth, increase productivity and enhance commercial and administrative methods, he stated.
The minister reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that no part of the country is left out in the digitalisation process, as saying amall states of the federation are already benefitting from various digital economy projects.
On hand to support the digital economy drive were Senator Obinna Ogbo representing the chairman, Senate Committee. On Communications, chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crimes, Senator Yakubu Oseni, Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogar, representative of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Uwem Ekpo, CEOs of parastatals and agencies being supervised by the ministry among others.
A statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Mrs Uwa Suleiman, said the emergency communications centre is located in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while the digital economy centres are domiciled in Delta State University Abraka, Government Secondary School, Rigasa, Kaduna State and Federal University Gashua, Yobe State. This brings to a total of 64 completed and fully functional such projects.
