Kogi Assembly adopts report on Information Technology Development Agency Bill

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Kogi State House of Assembly has adopted the report on a bill for the establishment of the State Information Technology Development Agency aimed at supporting information technology driven development in the State.

The report which was presented on the floor of the House at Wednesday plenary sitting in Lokoja was put together by a Joint Committee of the House.

The House Standing committees pooled together include Information Strategy, Publicity, Judiciary, Justice and Legal Matters.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Ogunmola Bode (PDP-Ogori-Magongo), said that the bill was a novel one that would help the Judges to interprete with discernment, the Spirit and Letters of the Law when passed.

Ogunmola identified some of the objective of the bill when passed into law, to include putting in place enabling policies, infrastructure and roadmap to support information technology driven development in the state.

According to him, the bill, when passed into law, will promote conducive environment that will foster transformation of Information Technology (IT) ideas into scalable businesses and solutions.

It is also expected to advance scientific research and development in key Information Technology (IT) sectors that will address local challenges and enhance competitiveness;

The law, is is expected, will enhance digital literacy and technological proficiency, strengthen collaboration and partnership with academia and industrial sector.

It will also galvanize other government agencies and intellectual organisations for the purpose of leveraging expertise, resources, and best practices in promoting Information Communication Technology (ICT)”, he said.

The Committee Chairman however, suggested that removal of key appointees should be subjected to legislative control of the State Assembly just like confirmation.

“Subject to the provisions of this Law, the Agency shall be bound by the Public Service Rules of the State relating generally to the condition of service of staff and other such other matters.

It would be recalled that the Kogi State House of Assembly at its plenary sitting on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 referred the bill to the Joint Committee of Information, Strategy and Publicity and Judiciary, Justice and Legal Matters.

This was after an exhaustive debate on the general principles and Merit of the Bill for a Law to provide for the establishment of the Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency and other Matters connected Therewith, 2024.

The Private Member Bill is to provide legal framework for planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Kogi State. (Ends)