With the goal of bringing government operations into the 21st century, Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo distributed 200 computers to government employees on Wednesday as part of his e-Government project.
At the flag off event arranged by the state ICT Agency in Awka, Soludo, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, noted that digital operations had huge potential for the public sector.
According to Soludo, the state’s economy and affairs may be managed more efficiently with the help of ICT efforts, like those found in wealthy nations.
“We are in a digital era, any country or state that does not embrace technology is unlikely to make significant progress or sustain economic development.
“The distribution of ICT tools to civil servants is a policy that began three years ago to facilitate e-Government and keep pace with global best practices.
“e-Governance which is the adoption of technology in government processes and service delivery, makes government service delivery efficient and cost effective.
“The adoption of ICTs in the civil service will increase productivity, transparency drive the state’s mega-city project as well as build trust between the government and the governed, “he said.
As part of his call for government agencies to make greater use of technology in order to better serve the public, he suggested that the State ICT Agency provide regular trainings for government employees on how to operate ICT systems.
Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, Head of Service, also spoke, noting that digitising government activities was a critical step in bringing about the Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan.
“We thank Gov. Soludo for affording us this opportunity to shift from paper service to digital operations. This will promote innovation and improve service delivery.
With these resources, “we promise to use these tools to improve our services and serve citizens better,” she said.
The head of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agbata, stated that the state had initiated a “ICT revolution” in accordance with Gov. Soludo’s e-Government and smart mega-city policies.
“This is government’s effort to transit from analogue to digital operations. In this first phase distribution, we are starting with the ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
“These computers are worth over a N100 million and they are designed to help civil servants do their work better,. So, you have no excuse not to deliver,” he said.
