Nigerian government spent billions on ICT in 2007

The Nigerian government spent 16 billion Nigerian naira (US$137 million) on ICT in 2007, according to Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation.

Kingibe made this disclosure Tuesday at a public sector ICT infrastructure forum, held at the Yar'Adua Conference Centre in Abuja. Kingibe's office and Galaxy Backbone sponsored the event.

An analysis of the 2007 federal budget showed that 12 billion Nigerian naira was appropriated for ICT projects and services, and an additional 4 billion Nigerian naira was provided by donors and other sources.

These expenditures, however, did not realize the gains that are commensurate in governance and national development, Kingibe said. An analysis of ICT expenditure in the last few years revealed several instances of expensive duplication of procurements. This, he said, could be traced to an ignorance of existing infrastructure caused by lack of cohesion in planning and approval of projects.

"It is this reason that a key expectation of this administration is that the operation of Galaxy Backbone will lead to more cost-effective ICT service delivery," he said.

Kingibe assured that the Yar'Adua administration is characterized by thoroughness and frugality and, consequently, requires cognizance of existing infrastructure to determine the absolute necessity of any desired procurements.

"Inter-ministerial or inter-agency rivalry that results in duplication of expenditure is wasteful and will not be tolerated," he warned.

The secretary, therefore, urged the Budget Office of the Federation and Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) to always require that ministries, departments and agencies provide detailed information relating to their proposed expenditure. He also entreated the Budget Office and BPP to collaborate with Galaxy to ensure that ministries do not duplicate existing or reusable assets.

Kingibe's address additionally examined security concerns as a result of the government's increased usage of ICT.

"It becomes important that critical information cannot be stored or transmitted through unsecured and unprotected third party providers," he said, explaining why the government insists all public institutions procure their Internet access through the service platform operated by Galaxy.

Galaxy Backbone was established by the federal government in 2006 to operate a single nationwide infrastructure platform. The firm commenced services in early 2007 with Abuja Metropolitan Area Network.

At the forum, Galaxy Chief Executive Gerald Ilukwe assured that his firm would effectively deploy ICT as a tool for national development by operating a secure, cost-effective and reliable national IP (Internet Protocol) network and infrastructure that serves public institutions at all levels. This method will bridge the access gap to undeserved communities and providing leadership and strategic direction in public-sector use of ICT.