FG Urged To Review IT Policy

A three-day e-Nigeria Conference organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged the Federal Government to review its Internet Technology (IT) policy.

The conference, held in Abuja, also called for the review of the IT legal and regulatory framework to ensure a more conducive environment and effective participation by both the public and private sectors.

A communique adopted at the end of the conference, stated that the review would ensure the speedy achievement of the theme of the conference which was ‘Leveraging on ICT Innovation for Economic Diversification’.

According to the communique, the conference highlighted the challenges affecting the sector such as poor electricity supply, poor project quality assurance and lack of adequate investments in ICT infrastructure.

Other issues raised included systems development, low patronage of locally-developed ICT solutions, inability of young start-ups and entrepreneurs to stay focused on ICT engagement.

The communique also noted the lack of access to capital as part of the challenges facing the sector.

The participants recommended that government should fast track the implementation of the National ICT Roadmap, “stipulating institutional and consistent incentivisation regime and scheme for talented youths and women’’.

The communique urged NITDA, through the Ministry of Communications, to revamp the National IT Advisory Committee to facilitate synergy of IT among the relevant ministries (Communications, Information and National Orientation, Science and Technology and Education).

This, the participants said, would help in sourcing for funds among philanthropic Nigerians to support start-ups and technology hubs across the country, to tackle complex community challenges and create jobs.