Pantami Discusses Importance Of E-Government

Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, claims that e-government is essential for fostering accountability and openness in governance.

Pantami made this statement during the 2023 Information Technology Professionals Assembly, which was held on Tuesday in Abuja and was organised by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).

According to him, e-government would aid in exhibiting different government projects and policies aimed at good governance if it were put in place.

"E-government, also known as electronic government, refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver government services, exchange information, and engage with citizens, businesses, and other government entities.

"It involves the digital transformation of traditional government processes, enabling the electronic delivery of public services, the digitalisation of government processes, and the use of online platforms to facilitate interactions between government and citizens.

"E-government is a critical enabler for good governance, effective public administration, and sustainable development in the digital era,” he said.

He cited the World Bank as suggesting that open and transparent governments will be better able to act quickly and effectively, promote the expansion of the private sector, and attend to the genuine needs of all residents.

The minister said that open government data projects, where individuals, companies, and researchers may access and use government data, encourage openness and good governance.

He continued by saying that nations that supported open government data programmes always saw improvements in governance and transparency.

E-Government accessibility, according to Pantami, might enhance service delivery by reducing administrative procedures and enhancing the effectiveness of public service delivery.

"By digitalising and automating procedures, governments can reduce bureaucracy, paperwork, and processing time.

"This leads to faster and more convenient access to government services for citizens and businesses, which will enhance public satisfaction and trust in government institutions.

"Improved digital payments and financial transparency in another role E-Government played. This is because electronic financial management systems help track revenue collection and expenditure, ensuring accountability and minimizing financial irregularities,” he said.

He also mentioned benefits including decreased fraud and corruption and more civic involvement.

He said that, like many other countries, the Philippines had made admirable progress towards implementing e-government.

He said that the government has created the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which was launched on November 28, 2019, by President Muhammadu Buhari and offers a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for the growth of the country's digital economy.

According to the minister, using technology, digitising services, and placing a high priority on cybersecurity will put the nation on the path to becoming a regional model for e-government.

Information technology, according to Kome Jagun, President/Chairman of the Council of Computer Professionals Registration, is not only one of the key forces behind business operations in both the private and public sectors of the economy, but it also makes a significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to Jagun, transparency encourages accountability and informs individuals about the actions of their government.

"Information maintained by the federal government is a national asset.

"The achievement of good governance in this digital age requires functional e-governance.

"This is because adequate use of ICT serves as a catalyst to an effective and efficient service delivery, quick response, accountability and transparency,” he said.

Therefore, he asserted that increasing e-government and information and communications technology utilisation will improve governmental accountability, transparency, and good governance.

He added that without effective governance, sustainable development cannot be realised or actualized, which may then encourage citizen involvement, promote electronic governance, and support the growth of our democracy.

The Federal Ministry of Education is in charge of overseeing the profession, the Minister of Education Adamu Adamu said in his opening remarks, urging the Council to guarantee sufficient performance in the field.

We are naturally working with the CPN to raise this since everything we do nowadays is digital, Adamu, who was speaking via his technical adviser Mohammed Mahmoud, added.

"This is from learning, teaching and working so the importance of this CPN should not escape Nigerians because they are helping with the regulation of professionals,” he said.