Communications minister continues consultation, awareness for e-Governance bill

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has continued consultations, and increased awareness and stakeholders’ engagement on the Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill across the country.

The Media and Communications Aide to the MInister, Isime Esene, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, indicated that consultations had already held in Niger, Ondo, Katsina, Lagos, Zamfara, Delta and Nasarawa states.

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He said the stakeholder engagement exercise would see the Bill taken across all 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said that the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill was jointly sponsored by two lawmakers, Sen. Shuaib Salisu and Rep. Adedeji Olajide.

According to Esene, bill is poised to be the most comprehensive piece of legislation guiding the transformation of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The bill will enhance the use of digital technology to grow Nigeria’s economy and provide a legal framework to support international digital trade and investments using digital means.

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“It will also encourage and improve service delivery, openness and accountability for the delivery of public or citizen digital services,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his remarks at the stakeholders engagement, the minister, spoke of the importance of technology and innovation in enhancing national productivity.

Tijani urged the stakeholders to ensure that they contributed meaningfully towards making the bill a robust legislation.

“There is no overarching law to back our digital economy in Nigeria. If we can collectively craft a piece of legislation that can help us accelerate the growth of this sector, imagine where we will be.

“It is very important to bring people together to get proper feedback.

“When you leave here, beyond your contributions today, make sure you share with all stakeholders within your network, why we must all contribute to making this a holistic legislation,” he said.

Sen. Shuaib Salisu outlined reasons why participants at the session should attach significant importance to the stakeholder engagement.

“This is the first time a bill has been taken across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to ensure that the legislation that emerges reflects the realities, yearnings, and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“This bill will be the most profound one in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration because it has the potential to influence the way we work, live, and interact with one another,” he said.

He urged citizens to approach it with optimism and constructive engagement in order for the bill to succeed.

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Also, Rep. Adedeji Olajide solicited the support of citizens as they work towards passing the bill.

He restated his determination that the end result of the exercise would reflect the broad expectations of the people.

The nationwide engagement is supported by the World Bank Group’s Identification for Development (ID4D) Initiative.

The engagement, which commenced on Oct. 29, is scheduled to stop next in Kano, Cross River, Kaduna, Ogun and Abia States.

NAN