Soludo gives over N100m computers to civil servants

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Wednesday distributed 200 sets of computers and laptops worth over N100 million to civil servants to digitalise civil service and drive electronic government.

Soludo who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, at the flag-off ceremony organised by the state ICT Agency in Awka, said that digital operations had tremendous potential for the public sector.

Soludo said the state economy and affairs would be run more effectively through Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) initiatives as obtained in developed countries.

“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.

“The adoption of ICTs in the civil service will increase productivity, transparency and drive the state’s mega-city project as well as build trust between the government and the governed, “he said.

Soludo, however, urged the civil servants to adopt ICT in order to serve citizens better.

He also advised the State ICT Agency to hold regular trainings for the civil servants on how to use the ICT equipment.

Also speaking, Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, Head of Service, said that the digitisation of operations of the civil service was a step toward actualising the Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan.

“We thank Gov. 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,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata, the Managing Director, Anambra State ICT Agency, 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 a N100 million and they are designed to help civil servants do their work better,. So, you have no excuse not to deliver,” he said.

(NAN)