As part of the ongoing nationwide consultation exercise on the draft National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy on Wednesday held a Stakeholders’ engagement program in Lokoja.
The one-day stakeholders engagement program, organized by the Federal Ministry, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Information and Communications, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project harped on the importance of technology and innovation in enhancing national productivity.
In his presentation on the objectives, scope and application of the bill, Barrister Chukwudi Chimezie said if passed, the bill will go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s socioeconomic activities, good governance and quick service delivery in both public and private sectors.
Chimezie said the essence of the stakeholders engagement was to get citizens input on the bill as it will affect them.
He said the bill will, among other benefits, enhance the use of digital technology to grow Nigeria’s economy, provide a legal framework to support international digital trade and investments using digital means, encourage and improve service delivery, openness and accountability for the delivery of public or citizen digital services.
Stakeholders at the engagement pledged their support and raise concerns about some challenges which could affect the smooth operation of the legislation.
They unanimously conceded that though the bill comes with many benefits to businesses and consumers such as improved service delivery, transparency and accountability, interagency collaborations, it however comes with its challenges.
The participants raised concerns over some of the provisions in the bill, stressing that these challenges must be addressed to check creating lacunas that would eventually frustrate the process.
They cited possibility of job loss, insincerity of purpose, high level of digital illiteracy, lack of infrastructure, lack of accessibility, privacy infringement among others, stressing improved solutions.
Stakeholders further enumerated some of the challenges of the Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill to include high cost of implementation, non-availability of network in some areas as well as failure of network as had been experienced repeatedly.
They urged government at all levels, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and spirited individuals not to relent in organising short term training programmes on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and workshops on the essence of the bill and other benefits accruing from it.
The Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, called on the people of the state to embrace digital age as it will go a long way in uplifting their living standard.
Adurodija emphasized that the stakeholders must take advantage of the approach to make contributions that will help to shape and enhance the operations of the legislation.
He said for the legislation to make effective impact, the people must take ownership of the process and ensure that all the necessary provisions are inputted for the good of all.
