The National Information TechnologyDevelopment Agency (NITDA) has commenced the registration and licensing of what
it called all indigenous information technology (IT) contractors, reports ITRealms.
Director General
and chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, confirmed
this to ITRealms saying that this
exercise involves all IT contractors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies
(MDAs) among other governments establishments, the organised private sector and
the general public.
NITDA, he said, has
put measures in place to “register and license all Information Technology (IT) Contractors
and Service Providers for the purposes of procurements, Public Private
Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with Government
establishments and Private Sector.”
He noted in a public statement made available
to ITRealms that the agency is
dismayed at the raising number of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and
other government establishments.
NITDA’s investigations, he said, revealed
that over 90 per cent of IT projects in MDAs and other government
establishments failed and more than 95 per cent of their security is
compromised.
“In order to curtail this and in line with
the agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for
Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts
and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari, the registration and licensing of IT Contractors
and Service providers has become expedient,” Pantami said.
The process, he also said, aims at ensuring
the emergence of robust indigenous IT Service Providers and Contractors,
guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects as well as engendering
professionalism in the IT service industry.
The process will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be
executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists.
“As part of the process, NITDA will monitor
and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT Contractors and
other Service providers. Furthermore,
the Agency will, in conjunction with relevant agencies, investigate any project
that has failed to determine the root cause of the failure and apply sanctions
where necessary or to refer such cases to other relevant authorities,” he said.
Further, he warned that all firms desirous
of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government
establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate
effect. Guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website.
“Alternatively, an applicantion can be
written to the agency in order to initiate the process. Interested entities
should note that only NITDA registered firms and companies will be recognised
as having capabilities for the provision of IT services to Federal MDAs and
other government establishments. All MDAs and other government establishments are
advised to consult NITDA before any IT firm is engaged for the purposed of
providing IT related services,” he said.
Pantami insisted that NITDA is an agency of
the Federal Government of Nigeria, created in April 2001 to implement the
Nigerian Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate general IT development
and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a & c) of the Act
mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development,
standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and
regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in
Nigeria; and render advisory services in all information technology matters to
the public and private sectors.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
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