Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cybercrime has called for probity and transparency in the utilisation of funds meant for digital technology infrastructure in the country.
This was made known today in Abuja in separate remarks by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yakubu Oseni who alongside his Vice, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai led other members on oversight visits to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Nigeria Population Commission (NPC).
At the Defence Intelligence Agency, members of the committee were received by Air Vice Marshal MS Usman who later conducted them round the facilities likewise the Acting Chairman of the National Population Commission, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji.
Among other matters of concern raised, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Oseni noted that the lawmakers were on the oversight visit to ascertain the ICT platform(s) relied on by the agency for administrative and operational activities including links to cyber space, available ICT infrastructure/facilities, manpower development effort and capacity competence of the agency’s ICT staff.
The lawmakers also sought to know the cost analysis of the ICT infrastructure developed or acquired from 2015 to date and most especially, the expenditure on cyber security measures adopted or deployed so far.
Senator Oseni who further revealed that even though funding on digital technology infrastructure is inadequate compare to the enormity of need therein, lamented that there are indications that resources allocated to ICT development in the country are not properly utilised.
While responding, Air Vice Marshal MS Usman who was impressed by the zeal of the Senators in embarking on the oversight visit despite prevailing situation in the country, assured that all grey areas and issues raised would be resolved.
Consequently, Senator Yakubu Oseni was again conferred with an award by the Defence Intelligence Agency of Nigeria and this was presented by Air Vice Marshal MS Usman.
