For the purposes of procurements, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with Government establishments and Private Sector, the management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Monday announced the flag off registering and licensing of all Information Technology (IT) contractors and service providers.
Already, the agency has notified Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), other government establishments, the organised private sector and the general public about the development.
In a statement signed by the Director General, Dr. Isah Pantami, NITDA expressed dismayed at the rising number of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and other government establishments, saying “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.”
“In order to curtail this and in line with the Agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari, the registration and licensing of IT Contractors and Service providers has become expedient.
He said “The process aims at ensuring the emergence of robust indigenous IT Service Providers and Contractors, guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects as well as engendering professionalism in the IT service industry. The process will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists. As part of the process, NITDA will monitor and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT Contractors and other Service providers. Furthermore, the Agency will, in conjunction with relevant agencies, investigate any project that has failed to determine the root cause of the failure and apply sanctions where necessary or to refer such cases to other relevant authorities.
High point of the statement noted that “All firms desirous of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate effect. Guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website: www.nitda.gov.ng.”
The statement also added that “only NITDA registered firms and companies will be recognised as having capabilities for the provision of IT services to Federal MDAs and other government establishments. All MDAs and other government establishments are advised to consult NITDA before any IT firm is engaged for the purposed of providing IT related services”.
