NITDA clarifies reasons for registration, licensing of IT contractors & service providers

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says even though the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria as a Council is mandated to have control and supervision of the (Computing) profession as provided by Section 1(2) of the Computer Professionals (Registration council of Nigeria) Act, however, the current moves to register and license contractors and service providers, is to tackle the menace of quackery and failure of IT projects in government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Director General/CEO of NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, had on Monday expressed the Agency’s dismayed at the raising cases of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and other government establishments.

“NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90% of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95% of their security is compromised”, Dr. Pantami said, which primarily informed the decision to embark on the registration and licensing of IT Contractors and Service Providers.

This didn’t go down well with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). The Society released a statement on Tuesday, and expressed displeasure with the NITDA’s latest move.

The President, Nigeria Computer Society, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, said “Our position is that this is not part of NITDA’s mandate because as the name suggests this agency is to plan, promote and develop regulatory framework and guidelines as stated in NITDA Act 2007, section 6a”.

Notwithstanding, NITDA has insisted that the initiative is covered in the establishing Act hence the Director General in a statement released on Wednesday said, “the registration of IT Contractors and Service Providers by NITDA is in line with NITDA’s mandate as specifically stated in  Section 6 (a, f) NITDA Act 2007,  which  mandates it  to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of information technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; and to  render advisory services on all information technology matters to the public and private sectors”.

He said, therefore, it is within the regulatory and developmental role of NITDA to ensure that IT contractual practises and project delivery in the public sector are done in accordance with best practices, within acceptable standards and in the interest of the development of IT in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Agency, as the clearance house for IT projects of the Federal Government, has the responsibility to ensure that IT projects are executed by professional firms.

“NITDA as a regulator will not relent in its quest to improve IT practises and expose projects that are ill conceived or poorly executed.

“NITDA also wishes to assure all Nigerians that it will not allow sub-standard projects in MDAs being executed by companies that have limited or no capacities. The registration process will therefore ensure professionalism in IT service delivery, value for national investments in IT and to weed out quacks who may seek to take advantage of public procurements for selfish interests. The process will also provide a detailed database of indigenous IT capabilities in Nigeria to guide the government in planning IT projects and for the promotion of Nigerian content through appropriate use of public sector spend in IT.

“Furthermore, the process will lead to a review of failed projects with a view at curating knowledge on factors that may have led to failure. NITDA in partnership with other relevant authorities shall take appropriate action where fraud may have led to failure”.

Several indigenous IT Contractors and Service Providers have commenced the process of registration with NITDA.

“The Agency appreciates all those that have initiated the process. It clearly shows their commitment to the growth and development of the IT sector. The Agency also appreciates Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his continued support and encouragement in delivering our mandate”, the DG said.