President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared open the 2018 e-Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, with a warning that the Federal Government would sanction public establishments found to have breached its IT Clearance policy.
The President gave the warning in Abuja at the e-Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the International Conference Centre (ICC).
It will be recalled that in April 2006, the Federal Government directed that all MDAs planning to embark on any IT project should obtain clearance from NITDA for proper guidelines on the purchase of local IT products and services.
NITDA, therefore, has a mandate to clear IT projects and procurement of IT products and services in MDAs for quality service delivery.
Buhari said that the warning became necessary in view of his administration’s determination not to fail in its quest to eliminate corruption in government businesses and in the wider society.
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He noted that NITDA’s initiative focused on the registration of IT contractors and service providers in collaboration with other regulatory bodies with special emphasis on competencies.
According to him, this will ensure the delivery of quality IT projects, as well as facilitate the development of indigenous IT companies in line with global
“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 procurement: 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.’’
