…Begins licensing of all indigenous IT contractors
By Dele Ogbodo
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Monday said that about 90 percent of all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Information Technology (IT) procured projects usually fail with 95 percent of their security compromised.
In a statement signed by the DG of the agency, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Pantami, said it had commenced the registration and licensing of all information technology contractors and service providers for the purposes of procurement.
The statement read: “The agency is dismayed at the rising number of failing IT projects within MDAs and other government establishments.
“NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90 percent of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95 percent of their security is compromised.
“In order to curtail this and in line with the agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari, the registration and licensing of IT contractors and service providers has become expedient.”
According to NITDA, the process of registering all indigenous contractors is aimed at ensuring the emergence of robust indigenous IT Service Providers and Contractors, guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects as well as engendering professionalism in the IT service industry.
The process, it says will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists, explaining that as part of the process, NITDA will monitor and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT Contractors and other Service providers.
“All firms desirous of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate effect.
“Guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website: www.nitda.gov.ng. Alternatively, an applicantion can be written to the Agency in order to initiate the process.” the agency said