NCC, BPSR ink MoU to accelerate digitisation of government processes

*The Nigerian Communications Commission discloses the Bureau of Public Service Reforms decides to work with telecoms sector regulatory Commission in driving the reforms for adoption of emerging technologies because of NCC’s ‘exceptionally exceeding expectations in the way it conducts its businesses’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a bid to accelerate the digitisation reform process of the Nigerian Government, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together.

Speaking at the event, which took place at the NCC’s Head Office, in Abuja, FCT, recently, the Commission stated Prof. Danbatta said collaboration between the two organisations was consistent with NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian economy.

The EVC/CEO disclosed the MoU would enhance efficiency and productivity, as it adequately captured the roles of enabling policies and implementing institutions, which are key features of digital transformation in the country’s ecosystem.

Danbatta equally said the telecoms regulatory Commission would continue to drive Broadband penetration, which provides the backbone upon which such process will thrive.

“It is for this reason that the Nigerian National Broadband Plan document, made adequate provisions for the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

“It is this same infrastructure that will drive services that will result in the transformation of governance as well as the key services sector in the economy,” stated he.

According to the Executive Vice-Chairman, upon the completion of the process, governance will be paperless, chief executive officers would be able to deal with their mails without necessarily signing most things offline because virtually everything will be done online.

He further said: “Indeed, the transition will be worth it, as the process is associated with efficiency, which naturally results from operating a paperless system of governance or administration at the level of entities such as the Bureau for Public Service Reforms and the Nigerian Communications Commission.

“We attach a lot of importance to the way and manner we collaborate with sister agencies of government to give translation or to ensure the actualisation of that important item of our Strategic Vision Plan that is strategic collaboration and partnership, it explains why we are signing this an Memorandum of Understanding.”

NCC has exceptionally exceeded expectations in all good practices -BPSR Director-General

Commenting on the new MoU between NCC and BPSR, the telecoms sector regulator said Dr. Arabi disclosed the Bureau took the decision to work with the Commission in driving the reforms for the adoption of emerging technologies as a result of NCC’s emergence as the first organisation to win the  Platinum Award of BPSR, exceeding expectations in the way it conducts its businesses.

The BPSR Director-General also stated: “Historically speaking, this partnership had begun in 2016 when the Commission became the first agency of government to undergo the BPSR online Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).

“Remarkably, at the end of the assessment, NCC emerged as the first agency to be rated Platinum Organisation by the Tool, having exceptionally exceeded expectations in all good practices built around nine domain areas.”

Underscoring his submission, Arabi further said: “Given the successful outcomes of the workshops and conferences NCC organised in collaboration with BPSR on the Distributed Ledger Technologies (the Blockchain) in 2022, in Lagos and Abuja, the MoU is providing a window of opportunity to consolidate efforts to deliver strong and resilient public service that will lead a well-functioning federal system wherein zero tolerance for corruption is made practicable.

“The MoU will also help in fostering of a high degree of cooperation between Federal and State governments in improving service delivery and addressing Transparency International Corruption Perception Index to significantly improve safe and secure environment that encourages economic growth and investment.”

Arabi said that efforts at improving equitable and unhindered access to government information and services through the Federal Government’s Scorecard for ranking websites of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are producing a direct impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.[do_widget id=heateor_sss_sharing-2]