Abuja, April 10, 2019 (NAN) Kogi Government on Wednesday solicited for the support of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) towards building an effective Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy in its domain.
Dr Folasade Ayoade, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of the state made the request when a delegation from the state paid a courtesy visit on the Director-General of NITDA, Dr Isa Pantami in Abuja.
Ayoade said ICT was boosting the economy of states around the world, adding that Kogi could not afford to be left out in the sector.
« We know that there is a lot that Kogi State can benefit from NITDA which is why we want the agency to assist us develop an ICT policy and guide.
« We want NITDA to assist us set up the Kogi State ICT Agency which has been approved but due to paucity of funds and lack of expertise is still not in existence.
« We also hope that NITDA considers establishing an ICT hub in Kogi State to serve the North Central and all the 10 states bordering the state, « Ayoade said.
According to her, due to the reforms going on in the civil service, the state required an efficient ICT system to fortify its staff strength.
Pantami, however, said if ICT development going on at the federal level was replicated in the states, it would ensure inclusive reforms.
Represented by Dr Vincent Olatunji, Director Government Development and Regulatory Department of the agency, Pantami said that having a policy was important but institutional implementation framework was key to ICT development.
He added that NITDA had established ICT hubs across the six geo-political zones of the country but might consider one for Kogi with the implementation of the 2019 budget of the agency.
The director-general reiterated that there should be a political will to establish a state ICT agency which would help the state government drive the process.
