eGovernment - Nigeria’s Journey!
Government and public-sector managers worldwide have within the last decade come to the realisation that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a viable tool that can help them achieve their aims; to deliver efficient and cost effective services to its citizenry, clients and partners. To this end governments in most developed and developing countries of the world are at different stages of adoption and implementation of their chosen eGovernment policies and initiatives in a bid to reform their public sector, and improve on its services deliveries.
The reality in most African countries is that they are not democractic and where there is democracy, it is still at infant stage with steep learning curves. It could be argued that a public sector is an extension of the kind of government that is in power. Hence in some democratic countries of the developed world, their public sector presents a vibrant and supportive ally in governance . Whether democratic or un-democratic, government is divided into levels for administrative convinences toward bringing government closer to the governed. In the United Kingdom, it is broadly divided into the Central and Local governments - a two-tier structure.However in some countries like Nigeria, a three-tier structured approach is adopted, namely; Federal, State and Local governments. Circumstancially, different countries do make choice of structure based on their needs and certain political, economic and social dispositions. However, as earlier stated governments greatest desire is to bring government closer to the governed, while making all government services available and accessible to all; without fear of exclusion of disadvantaged citizens, clients and partners.
In a bid to bring government and governance to the people, the different tiers of government do at one time or the other play complementary roles to ensure that the effects of their policies and initiatives are well received by the citizenry and other stakeholders as well. Although, government from the outside presents a single, unified and indivisible entity; however, within it is devolved into different arms that are expected to work together to achieve a common goal. Working together to achieve a common goal, comes with having a relationship, understanding and clear definition of roles, duties, functions, schema and set rules that govern such relationships just like any other social system.
Nigeria’s foundation for eGovernment was laid when it adopted the Nigerian National Policy on Information Technology (IT) ‘USE IT’ policy document that spelt out the stategies and implementation roadmap for eGovernment implementation in Nigeria. The National Information Technology Developmet Agency (NITDA) was charged with the responsibility of co-ordination the Nigeria project in collaboration with National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt). It will be recalled that this policy was approved by the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo in March, 2001. It’s implementation kicked off soon in April under the watchful eyes of NITDA.What has become of the policy seven years after its initial lauch with all the pump and pagentry? What has been implemented and how has it affected the way government has done business with the citizens these past seven years?
There is so much noise about this egovernment thing that we do not know where the lines can be drawn between rhetorics and action.
We just want things to work in Nigeria, gaskia!!!
eGovernment on its own, the strategy and ideas are wonderful but the problem is with its implementation.
[...] Since its establishment and subsequent mandate to co-ordinate and implement the Nigerian National Policy on Information Technology (IT) ’USE IT’ almost seven (7) years ago, the NITDA is still trying to catch them young. This policy is also the precursor to eGovernment in Nigeria [...]
so, wat exactly is the history of e_govt in Nigeria…how did it come about, wat gave birth @ it n wat’s it’s situation presently?
The questions were answered in the text.
Please reread it.