A new directive has emerged from Plateau State to all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Companies doing business and intending to do business with Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State.

The directive is that all ICT Companies both hardware and software in Plateau State must now be annually registered with the Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) before they can be allowed to do business with MDAs of Government.

In a circular communicated to all MDAs of the Government of Plateau State yesterday, the 22nd of February 2021. It was stated by the Plateau State ICT Development Agency quoting the Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) Law, 2020 that all companies or vendors who intend to do business with any MDA of the Government of Plateau State must from now register and obtain clearance certificate from the Agency on an annual basis.

This is not the first time that the Plateau State ICT Development Agency has waded fully into the implementation of its policy. It started last year through the issuance of an IT clearance guidelines it communicated to all MDAs through the state Auditor General. In what seems like an update to the guideline, PICTDA is boosting its attempt in ensuring that the sector is regulated and value for money is derived by government.

According to the Director General of the Plateau State ICT Development Agency, Mr. Daser David, “Two things that make sense to us is simply the fact that while we avoid duplication of projects, it is also in the best interest of the Plateau state technology ecosystem that local companies are protected and helped to achieve growth. The rescue administration through His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, is interested in this sector and is fully committed in exploiting the opportunities it promises our young people. It is against such political will that we are acting”.

In its communication to all MDAs, its statement reads, “In line with the Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) Law, 2020 and the rescue administration’s drive towards raising its revenue and streamlining its processes for the purpose of coordination, it has become mandatory that ICT vendors both hardware and software must be registered and certified by PICTDA before they can engage with any MDA of the Government of Plateau State. while automation processes are really very vital for enabling a lot of government processes and in serving the citizens in a most appropriate way It is very vital that the Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) as mandated by the act establishing it be notified and carried along in every automation endeavour of all MDAs of Government. The law establishes that every IT company must be registered with the Plateau State ICT Development Agency before it can do business with any MDA of Government. Given the aforementioned, any engagement by any MDA of Government with any IT Vendor who is not registered and certified by PICTDA is a violation of the Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) Law, 2020.”

The said memo has also been communicated to IT companies within Plateau State via email.

For more details on the new policy, kindly contact [email protected]

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All ICT Companies to Secure PICTDA Registration Annually to Do Business with MDAs