From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has promised to complete the digitisation of the 774 local government headquarters in the 36 states by 2027.
Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at a stakeholders’ retreat on project 774 connectivity in Abuja, yesterday, said the project would be executed in collaboration with other agencies under its purview.
He said the government had a target of 2027 to fully digitalise all the remaining LGAs in the country.
“If you are talking about durations as to when we are going to reach all the 774 LGs, the goal is that by 2027, we would have achieved that. We have spread that out in the blueprint that was put out,” he said.
The minister said one of the goals of the project was to foster inclusive development and access to digital public infrastructure in government offices located all over Nigeria.
According to him, this will include the most remote areas of the country that may have been previously underserved or unserved.
He also said the ministry would provide affordable and reliable internet access and resources required to deliver efficient public services through strategic partnerships and the deployment of cutting edge technology.
He emphasised the role of the local governments in delivering public services in Nigeria including healthcare, education, social welfare, infrastructure development and waste management, among others.
“They are in charge of the provision of essential primary healthcare services, including immunisation, maternal and child health programmes and disease prevention initiatives.
“They also take charge of management and administration of primary and secondary schools and implementation of education policies.
“They ensure implementation of social assistance programmes to support vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals and families.”
He said connecting LG secretariats in Nigeria would enhance access to information and services.
“Some of the benefits are that it empowers local entrepreneurs and businesses. It fosters digital skills and innovation; promotes inclusive development and strengthens governance and accountability,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive-Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Oluyomi Arowosafe, said that internet access, wide internet coverage, and ICT in underserved, unserved, and rural areas would support social inclusiveness and social equity.
“The USPF is doing that with its strategies to provide connectivity, and we do that by granting subsidies to our implementers, and they go to rural areas to deliver those services.
“We intend that our contribution in the LGs will support and add value to improve the standard of living, health, and other areas.
“All these are to support the eight strategic priority areas of the Federal Government, priority three and priority five, which have to do with economic growth and inclusiveness.
“All these are things that support the Project 774 LG connectivity, and as it stands, it is basically to support citizens’ engagement in the LGA,” he said.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the project had already started in the state. “Some LGAs in the state are already benefiting from this project. It is something that is connecting the people and helping in digitising the administration of local government councils in Kogi.”
