Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has distributed 200 sets of computers and desktop laptops worth N100 million to civil servants to digitalise the civil service and drive electronic government (e-Government).
He said that state economy and affairs would be run more effectively through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives as obtained in developed countries.
Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, at the flag-off ceremony organised by state ICT Agency in Awka on Thursday, Soludo said digital operations had tremendous potential for the public sector.
He said, “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-Governence which is the adoption of technology in government processes and service delivery, makes government service delivery efficient and cost effective.
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“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.”
While urging the workers to adopt ICT to effectively serve the citizens, Soludo advised the State ICT Agency to hold regular trainings for the civil servants on how to use the ICT equipment.
Head of Service, Theodora Igwegbe said digitisation of operations of the civil service was a step towards actualising the Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan.
She said, “We thank Governor Soludo for affording us this opportunity to shift from paper service to digital operations. This will promote innovation and improve service delivery.
“We promise to use these tools to improve our services and serve citizens better.”
In his remarks, Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, said the agency had begun ICT revolution in the state in line with Gov. Soludo’s e-Government and smart mega-city policy.
“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 N100 million and they are designed to help civil servants do their work better. So, you have no excuse not to deliver,” he said.
