Internet Access Key to e-Government Growth Says Experts

• Internet Access Key to e-Government Growth Says Experts

Experts that participated at a one-day conference held in Lagos, have said Nigeria needs unhindered internet access to grow e-Government initiatives.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Dr Henry Nkemadu, said: “To achieve e-Government across MDAs, there is need to increase the number of fibre connectivity deployment from the current 42,000km to 127,000km. Nigeria needs additional 30,000km of fibre infrastructure, aside the expectations from operators to expand fibre development.

“Nigeria also needs to deepen e-Government activities by examining four dimensions as directed by the International Telecoms Union (ITU), which include: Infrastructure, Policy, Governance and Outreach dimensions.”

While participants agreed that the number of fibre connectivity should be increased, they also emphasised the imperative of cost-effective internet access to e-Government activities as it is impossible to attract enough stakeholders to grow the initiative without affordable internet access.

Mr Mohamed Rudman, the CEO of Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), explained that despite having five broadband submarine cable operating in the country, the cost of internet access remained relatively high.

Rudman, therefore, called for unhindered internet access across the country. He also stressed the importance of data sovereignty for local internet service providers to grow local internet traffic.

“Currently Nigeria has between 40-50 per cent local internet traffic, but it could be increased to 80 per cent if local internet service providers are encouraged with favourable policies,” Rudman said.

Speaking on the next stage of e-Government programme, Danbatta said the application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance efficient and effective exchanges across four primary government service delivery tracks: Government-to-Citizen or Government-to-Customer (G2C); Government-to-Business (G2B); Government-to-Government (G2G); and Government-to-Employee (G2E).

“The paradigm shift means that while building on the investments and transformation made during the earlier phases of e-Government, and while some of the principles are still being developed, the next stage promises a sharper focus on the business principle that digital services should be the principal channel for delivering better governance,” Danbatta said.