PROTOCOL

It is with great delight that I welcome you all to this First Stakeholders Conference on National eGovernment Strategies and implementation for Nigeria.

Right from the beginning of this Administration in 1999, I made it clear that "it will no longer be business as usual". The Administration has since consistently propagated new ways for good governance. The emphasis, style and programmes of this Administration have always centred on reorientation of civil servants and public officers towards a change in the ways of doing goveinment business in a transparent, efficient and effective manner. This was to be done through the eradication of corruption and enhancing efficiency and productivity through a synergy of private and public sector participations and service delivery.

We have taken major steps, namely, privatisation, deregulation and monetisation towards accomplishing the goal of a compact, accountable and productive government. There is no going back to the old ways.

However, the backroom engine, which will run good governance through due diligence, due process and transparency, actually needs to be formally strengthened and institutionalised for widespread effectiveness through computer assisted modern processes now commonly known as eGovernment.

In simple terms, we may set the definition of eGovernment as

The use of information & communication technologies, to improve efficiency, effectiveness, transparency & accountability of governance through implementing data warehousing & integrated decision support system to manage modern economy for the benefit of the governed.

This Administration has laid the foundation for eGovernment in Nigeria by carefully thought-out programmes, some of which include:

q adoption of a national policy on Information and Communication Technologies and plans to integrate ICT applications to agriculture, health, education, military and other sectors;

q enactment of National Telecommunications Act and appointment of an independent regulatory body;

q the launching of a data and research satellite in 2003 and plans to launch a communications satellite in 2006;

q setting up an agency, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as a clearing house for ICT-related applications and mandating it to implement related national policy as well as making it the custodian of the nation's Top Level Domain (.ng);

q active promotion of cyber specific !aws to ensure security in the use of email and other operations originating from electronic or Internet-related facilities, Cyber caf6s, ISPs or personal mobile or fixed telephones, etc.

In addition to these, we have restructured the technological landscape by increasing land-based telephone capacity from some 300,000 lines to about 720,000 or by 120%; mobile telephones from 50,000 to over 2,500,000 or by 5,000% and electric power generation from 1,400 MW to 4,800MW or 250%, all within the first four years of this Administration.

It is with pride that I wish to acknowledge that the institutions, programmes development and projects which we have set up for the development of ICT applications are providing positive and encouraging results. My presence here at this conference on eGovernment Strategies is yet an evidence for this claim.

Our vision for ICT and the development of a virile Information Society matches that of the Africa Information Society Initiative (AISI), and the World Summit on Information Society (WSlS). We are committed to the development programmes arising from the challenges to Africa on Globalisation and the Information Age. My personal participation at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva in December 2003 with other Heads of Government and Heads of State is yet another attestation of my government's commitment to translate digital divide to digital opportunities.

The overall thrust for our mission is to generate internal effectiveness and efficiency to provide better services for the governed while remaining transparent, accountable and compact.

This Administration is set to conclude reforms and reorientation in Civil Service and to inject ICT to drive economic transformation in all the sectors, from primary education, to primary healthcare to agriculture, solid minerals development, tourism and virtual libraries. Government, through NITDA, will streamline and standardize all issues related to ICT and eGovernment applications at the Federal level, including minimum standards to be met by each Ministry or agency.

Nigeria is determined, this time around, not to be just a user but a driver and developer. The Federal Government will invest time, resources and funds in the development of Information and Communication Technologies, building of a National Information infrastructure and the applications for all facets of government activities and commerce in order to promote e-Learning, e-Business and ensure e-Democracy.

All tiers of Government are urged to join this campaign, not only by setting up their own State Information Technology Agency or its equivalent but also by developing all encompassing programmes involving the State Assemblies, Local Government Councils, Judiciary and citizens. All tiers of Government are enjoined to develop and implement on-line and off-line computer assisted solutions to facilitate basic and people-centred operations like payroll, pension administration, accounting and Geographical Information System (GIS)-based applications for primary education, healthcare delivery and two-way citizens' interaction with Government.

Perhaps the most potent aspect of the plans and programmes of Government to actualise its mission on ICT applications is the promotion of private sector investment and participation. This Administration will actively encourage

Encourage Public-Private-Partnership for the development of ICT and

related applications, customisation, maintenance of software, hardware and networks as may be necessary. In this regard, we have set the pace by consigning development and implementation of eGovernment programmes to a special purpose vehicle. This is a joint venture between Government, technical experts and financial partners wherein the Government has only nominal shares and the bulk of the equity, loans and other costs are generated through private sector sources, put into practice through the

National eGovernment Strategies Limited which is registered under the Company's Act.

Implementing eGovernment offers an opportunity for improving the way government businesses are carried out, how services are delivered and how avenues are created for the citizens to interact with government. It draws from the openness of the ICT world and impacts on government activities and operations breaking barriers of hierarchical traditions, secrecy, and bureaucracies that are naturally not compliant with 21st century aspirations and practice. It is an umbrella for institutionalising due diligence, due process and hence transparency and accountability.

Apart from being the vehicle for developing and strengthening the National Information and Communication Infrastructure and its Architecture, eGovernment permeates seamlessly through activities involving Government-to-Government, Government-to-Business and Government-to-Citizens. This is ensured through e-Tourism, e-Judiciary, e-Agriculture, e-Taxation, e-Revenue, e-Pricing, e-Procurement, e-Monitoring, e-Learning and so on; all of which together make government more compact, effective and efficient.

I should not conclude this address without mentioning the revenue generation aspect of eGovernment programmes. It is, however, not a main product of eGovernment. It is a side-effect. Revenue is generated because of the increase in efficiency, blocking of waste pipes and generally more transparent nature which reduces corrupt practices. Take for instance, estimated tax collection would improve by 300% nationwide when e-Taxation modules are deployed at Federal, State and Local Government levels. Another form of revenue comes from service charges, when, for instance, a citizen pays a token fee for renewal of licence on-line, checking of examination results, establishment posting or for buying of application forms from e-kiosks or e-Buka at local or remote areas without travelling to urban centres.

As a matter of emphasis, I wish to reiterate my full personal support and that of government for eGovernment and related applications as these are inherently dedicated to transparency, accountability and good governance.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank you for your kind attention. It is my pleasure, therefore, to declare this conference open and I wish you fruitful sessions.