AS Nigeria appropriates N42.5 trillion on IT projects for the year 2017, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, strengthen ties to ensure the nation reaps value for money in her investments. This position was reached when Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the commission, led his management staff to a working visit at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Isa Pantami, director general, NITDA, while welcoming EFCC officials, stated that the visit is key to the growth and development of the country. “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.

He stated that the effort of EFCC in the fight against corruption is for the benefit of the country at large. According to him, any nation that fights corruption is doing it for the development and betterment of the living standards of its citizens. NITDA is the IT regulatory body and also a clearing house for all IT projects 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 ministries, departments, and agencies, MDA.

Pantami said some MDAs repeatedly engage in IT projects, which there is no provision for its sustainability afterward. Information Technology is one of the areas which have been used to siphon government funds simply because of its complexity. He added that 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.

In his remarks, Magu stated that the two government agencies have a lot in common, and could learn more  from each other. He said EFCC need the support of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption for the betterment of the future generation because the commission could not 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 appreciates the effort of NITDA in the fight against corruption, adding tat EFCC would support it to deliver its goals and objectives for the growth and development of the country.

– Sept 15, 2017 @ 09:56 GMT /