By 
By Emmanuel Yinka Fagbenle and Nchekwube Clara Aghasili
Plateau State ICT Development Agency (PICTDA) recently met with the heads of the Plateau State tertiary institutions to discuss the e-Government policies of Governor Simon Lalong’s Rescue Administration and the need to comply with the requirements set by the World Bank.
The meeting held inside the new Government House Conference Hall in Jos, Plateau State.
Part of the objectives of the meeting is to bring the heads of institution to the compliance regulation to meet the state’s e-Government template to drive speed, efficiency, and save costs in the delivery of government services to the citizens.
Director General of PICTDA, Mr. Daser David emphasized the need for digitalization in all tertiary institutions in the state, especially when it comes to the administration of student information, performance progress and records of payment of fees.
“The agency is working on how it can contribute by ensure all tertiary institutions without portals are equipped with fully functional ones before year’s end” said Daser. “We aim to achieve this vision by creating a knowledge-driven eco-system, leveraging entrepreneurship and promoting socially inclusive growth,” he added.
PICTDA is the regulatory body, under the statute, established and empowered to set good practices in terms of right processes, governance control over ICT investments in the state.
According to David: “as the clearinghouse of IT projects in Plateau State, PICTDA has been mandated to clear all the IT related projects that are covered by the objective of the Rescue Administration policy” of Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
Part of the PICTDA’s brief is to provide the roadmap for ICT integration into government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
“Our goal is to lay a solid foundation through ICT infrastructure architecture, systems design and work processes which will continue to support a robust ICT facility throughout Plateau State,” said David while addressing the heads of institutions which included the Chairman of Plateau State Revenue Board, Mr. Arlat Dashe.
At PICTDA, “it is our believe that access to fundamental tools of the digital society is one of the most important investment Plateau State can make for her people,” said Daser as he addressed all the institutions at the strategic meeting. Attendees were drawn from Plateau State University, Bokkos; College of Education, Garkawa; Plateau State Polytechnic, College of Education, Gindiri; College of Health Technology, Zawan; College of Nursing, Vom; and College of Health, Pankshin.
Daser stressed the need for all tertiary institutions to ensure that their IT infrastructure acquisitions and development should be certified and meet global best practices and standards.
According to the internal revenue chief, Mr. Dashe, a consolidated revenue account is needed to be set up. This would help provide sufficient transparency and accountability in the execution of all IT projects in the state.
