NITDA, EFCC partner to fight corruption in IT procurements

•Agency to work with CPC on standardization

As part of efforts targeted at clipping the wings of corruption in Nigeria, especially at the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have sealed a strategic partnership to that effect.

The partnership was sealed when the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu and management visited NITDA in Abuja.

The Director General of NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, while welcoming EFCC officials stated that the visit was key to the growth and development of the country, channeled towards the fight against corruption to save funds for the government.

“Anything you do in the aspect of anti-corruption will surely lead to retaliation by perpetrators, as long as legal is made illegal and legitimate is made illegitimate, it is corruption, more effort is needed to fight such crimes”, he said.

Pantami stated that the effort of EFCC in the fight against corruption is for the country at large, stressing that any nation that fights corruption is doing it to develop and better the living standards of its citizens.

NITDA is the IT regulatory body and also a clearing house for all IT 03. and infrastructural development in the country. The Agency solicits EFCC’s support to enforce the IT clearance law which the Federal Government mandated NITDA to handle the clearance of all IT procurement by MDA.

Pantami, which lamented that some MDAs repeatedly engage in IT projects, which there is no provision for its sustainability afterward, noted that Information Technology (IT) was one of the areas which has been used to siphon government funds simply because of its complexity.

“Many MDAs come to NITDA to seek IT clearance for their projects and services, which the Agency has professionals and experts that will analyse the project critically to know its authenticity before embarking on such project so as to save funds for the government,” he added.
Magu, in his remarks, stated that the two government organizations have a lot in common, and more need to be learned from each other.

According to him, EFCC needed the support of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption for the betterment of the country’s future generation because the Commission cannot do it alone.

“Corruption is the biggest problem in the country” things need to be done the right way, which will curb the menace it has brought upon our country, he said.

Magu, who appreciated the effort of NITDA in the fight against corruption, disclosed that the agency has the support of his office in delivering its goals and objectives for the growth and development of the country.

Similarly, with the complaints of Nigerians on poor products and services delivery, NITDA and Consumer Protection Council (CPC) have formed a working committee to hold providers of products and services accountable.

This collaborative move was taken when the Director- General of CPC, Babatunde Irukera, paid a courtesy visit to the Agency headquarters in Abuja.

Irukera said: “The role of NITDA in the society is to improve technology services to the people. IT controls significant number of human endeavors.”

According to him, there is need for a national framework from NITDA to serve as a tool for proper discharge of the duties. He stressed that creating standards will enable CPC ensure full implementation.

Responding the NITDA DG urged regulatory bodies to work together especially where there is need for that synergy, while appreciating CPC for their creativity and efforts in discharging their duties effectively.

The DG further made emphasizes on the regulatory roles of the Agency as to set standards Guidelines and frameworks for IT adoption and the directives for all MDAs to get clearance before embarking on any IT projects/ Services.