Gov. Lalong Up the Stakes for Accountability as Plateau Issues Compliance Guidelines for all IT Projects

The Plateau State government has issued guidelines for clearance of IT projects by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with Governor Simon Lalong’s drive for transparency and more prudent spending of public funds.

Under the new rule, MDAs are required to obtain clearance from the Plateau State Information and Communication Development Agency (PICTDA) for their IT projects. MDAs that fail to comply with the guidelines on IT clearance risk serious sanction including criminal prosecution in line with Governor Lalong’s agenda for sustainable development, public expenditure accountability and elimination of duplicity of projects within public institutions.

Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) rated Plateau State as the least corrupt state in Nigeria after Imo State in its Second Corruption Survey Report. The survey was conducted in collaboration with other partner international agencies including the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime.
For Plateau state, the rating validated the efforts of Governor Lalong to entrench good governance, accountability, and transparency in the management of public funds.

The new guidelines for clearance of IT projects is in conformity with the
administrations zero tolerance for corruption and “determination to ensure that public funds are used strictly for the benefit of the people of Plateau.”

Among other objectives, the new guidelines will ensure that IT projects are not duplicated; allow for integration of IT systems and services by MDAs to save costs, promote shared services, interoperability and improve efficiency; ensure that the technology and services procured are suitable for Plateau State from the point of view of security and the environment; guarantee indigenous capacity for after-sales-service to sustain the project beyond the initial deployment; and also help to promote indigenous content and preference for indigenous companies where capacity or the product or service exists; and that the technology being implemented is up-to-date.

Presenting the compliance guidelines to Plateau State Auditor General, Mr. Michael D. Setle in his Office today, the Director General Plateau State Information and Communication Development Agency (PICTDA), Mr. David Daser said the essence of the guideline is t ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

Mr. Daser said with the guideline, all MDAs in Plateau State will now procure what they need and avoid paying for or purchasing what government already purchased.

He said more transparency in governance will lead to Plateau State being the top least corrupt State in Nigeria.

Plateau State Auditor General, Mr. Michael D. Setle, appreciated PICTDA for the well thought initiative and said his Office will ensure full compliance to the guidelines in order to avoid wastages.
Mr. Wetle said the guidelines will help the government in great ways.

He promised to cooperate with PICTDA to ensure agencies adhere strictly to laid down guidelines in ICT Purchases and procurement.

He said the visit was apt considering the intention of PICTDA.

He charged PICTDA to continue to advise where and when necessary for better work relationship and transparency in governance.

The Auditor General said his office, PSBIR and PICTDA as key drivers of government policies will continue to synergy to ensure the policy thrusts of government are achieved.

Also lending his voice to the guidelines, Commissioner of Science and Technology, Hon. Gyang Musa Dung commended the DG PICTDA for the laudable initiative.

He said the world is now digital and there is need to key into the ICT drive. He said the guidelines are not to indict anyone or MDAs but to promote healthy working relationship, enhance accountability, transparency and to avoid procurement of substandard ICT products.

He pleaded for an official circular to advise all MDAs on the guidelines to assist the present Government achieve its three-pillar policy which include Peace, security and good governance; Physical infrastructural development and Sustainable economic growth.

Chairman of Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Arlat Dashe lauded PICTDA for all efforts and guidelines set to avoid duplication in terms of IT Purchases. He said PSBIR has keyed into the guidelines and already collaborating with PICTDA saying the guidelines will cut costs to MDAs IT Investments for revenue generation.

With the compliance guidelines, all MDAs must get approval from PICTDA for all IT Procurements.

Also present at the Auditor General’s Office were Samchi Lar, Mrs. Christy Elisha Davou, Linus Fulus, Mallam Suleiman Madaki, Haj. Maryam Gagdi and others.