Contrary to claims by all ministries that they have repositioned to drive ease of doing business which is now a core value of the government, a new investigation by an agency has raised a serious question mark on the claims.
Otherwise, in compliance to the Executive Order signed by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria as it relates to the use of ICT, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has conducted assessment of the websites of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In a statement signed by the Director General, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the agency said “The assessment revealed that most of the websites are not in conformity with published standards and guidelines for government websites”.
“Most of the websites do not have feedback and information necessary to facilitate ease of doing business. For instance, only 25% and 37% of the websites have reachable phone numbers and email addresses respectively. In addition, some of the websites do not have complete list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision and the content outdated.
“Furthermore, some Ministries either have no active websites or are not registered on .GOV.NG domain. Businesses and citizens expect more transparent, accessible, and responsive services from government agencies and it is essential that Federal Ministries take the lead in ensuring that information provided on their websites meets such expectations.
Some of the key and embarrassing discoveries on ministries’ websites by NITDA include poor contact information are accurate and reachable and means of interaction such as online feedback are integrated; the content and the list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision are complete and up-to-date; and detailed requirements or conditions for service provision and electronic mode of communicating acceptance and rejection of applications as stated in the executive order are conspicuously published.
NITDA boss further warned government agencies at all levels (Federal, State and Local Government) are required to use the .GOV.NG domain in line with Nigerian content in ICT promotion. The .GOV.NG domain is Nigerian Government identity on the Internet.
