LAGOS: Technology in governance is a game changer for development, says commissioner

*e-governance critical to effectively serve the citizens

THE Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Popoola Fahm said that e-governance is critical to government effectively serving the citizens and delivering the dividends of democracy to the populace.

He added that it is the reason the state is implementing a 3,000 km of fibre metro network connection with another 3,000km being planned at the end of the first phase as part of the comprehensive smart city programme that seeks to provide a 24-hour driven economy. 

The commissioner stated this during the 2021 ministerial press briefing to commemorate the second year in office of Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration held at Alausa, Lagos

 Fahm said that the implementation of state smart city project is to enable governance, connectivity and environmental security, saying that the use of technology would make reporting of security incidents easy to reach, and promote access to major stakeholders in the government

The Commissioner reiterated that the project will also incorporate smart technologies into transport infrastructure surveillance and security, healthcare services, education, government services and making the state to be technological development through the provision of affordable internet access, hence it will close the gap between the people and the government.

He explained that the smart-city project involved “laying fibre optic cables across the state, and building a metro-network where parastatals are connected.

“The unified fibre project is a multi-year project which will involve the installation of a total of 6000km in fibre optic cables that will come in two phases of 3000km each,” he said. 

Fahm noted that the state is installing both fibre cables and the infrastructure (fibre ducts) that other companies can latch on in order to expand their network.

“We plan to connect the fibre optic cables to all our public schools and institutions of learning, health centres, and all government offices and parastatals,” he explained. 

He said the state government is working tirelessly to increase public access to the Internet and promote digital literacy.

Speaking on the installation of CCTV Cameras, the commissioner said, “Safeguarding the state has gone beyond the ordinary. We have built new data rooms, install more cameras and effectively deploy technology in our operations, especially as regards to security and traffic management,” he said.

Upon completion, said Fahm, the project will advance the state economy by becoming a 24/hr driven commercial centre, which would allow companies to operate in a safe, secure and smart environment that would create more jobs and increase GDP of the state. 

He described the smart-city project as a transformation being achieved through technology in order to enhance the ease doing business, adding that it involved stationing of security cameras around the state.

Fahm explained that the state is using technology to facilitate integrated policies and services that allow access to a range of public services, and also improve standards of living through online service delivery. 

“This comes in various forms such as tax submission and registration of businesses, reducing the administrative burden on the public and private sectors and improving transparency. E-governance effectively deployed can have significant impact on poverty reduction and increase the efficiency of public institutions,” he added.