THE Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has said that the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) contributed over $500 million both in cash and kind to the implementation of the Nigeria e-government master plan.
Barrister Shittu who disclosed this at the launch of the e-government masterplan in Abuja said it would assist the government fight corruption and ensure transparency in government dealings.
“The Federal Government believes that given our current reality as a nation e-government implementation is an essential policy that will help the government improve efficiency in the public service, block financial leakages, improve transparency in government dealings in order to reduce corruption to the nearest minimum.
“It will be interesting to note that so far, Korean has spent for Nigeria and in Nigeria towards the realisation of e-government establishment more than $500 million in building a whole academy, in providing scholarships to numerous government officials both for training in Korea and Nigeria.
“This one country has surpassed every other country that I know with regard to ensuring at no benefit to them that Nigeria gets it right in implementing e-government,” the Minister said.
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Shittu said the National e-Government Master Plan was developed with its vision and objectives linked to the Federal Government Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).
He stated that the move would improve the quality of life of citizens by enhancing national competitiveness, facilitating market economy, promoting participatory democracy, and improving transparency in the public sector.
The Minister said the initiative, which intends to make best use of Information and communications technology (ICT) Was developed through research, collaboration and extensive engagement with other relevant stakeholders with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The Plan also recognises the need to leverage Science, Technology and innovation (STI) to build a knowledge-based economy, Shittu said, adding that the ministry developed the masterplan in fulfilment of its mandate to; “Utilise ICT to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of public service delivery in Nigeria.”
He said the expected outcomes of the e-Government Master plan are Clearly defined while measuring its performance. Citizens, he further said, are customers of the government and should be carried along through robust customer relationship programmes to continuously improve government services.
With the citizen at the centre of the e-governance vision, the Minister said the overall purpose and rationale of the plan were to enhance transparency, efficiency and the quality of public service administration by developing the legal system’ organisational framework, government service delivery, human capital, technology infrastructure and awareness.
The overall purpose and rationale of the project are to strengthen the efficiency and transparency of public administration service and provide multiple access and delivery channels for citizens, businesses and government employees.