By Praise Chinecherem
As workers in Anambra State join their contemporaries nationwide to celebrate the 2023 Civil Service Day, State ICT Agency, led by Managing Director and CEO Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, has unveiled notable strides in the digitization of work processes, and the overall digital landscape in the state.
The event, which was held at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka, provided a platform to recognize the dedication and resilience of civil servants, underscoring their pivotal role in advancing public service.
Agbata, in a message to the state workforce, expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his vision of establishing a liveable and prosperous Smart Mega City and shared insights into the agency’s commitment to digitization, aligning with the Governor’s ambitious goal of transforming Anambra into a technologically-advanced state.
He urged civil servants to actively participate in the digital evolution, emphasizing the need for collective efforts, collaboration and shared commitment to drive the State to new heights of technological excellence.
According to Agbata, the theme, “Digitization of Work Processes in the Public Service: A Gateway to Efficient Resource Utilization and National Development,” emphasizes the transformative potential of integrating technology into public service operations.
He explained that the agency’s comprehensive digital transformation journey began with a survey of available digital work tools, revealing a digital gap.
โIn response, a phased distribution of 200 state-of-the-art computers and laptops was initiated, with ongoing digital literacy training for select civil servants.
โOther milestones included the adoption of the second-level domain (2LD.ng) for official state emails (@anambrastate.gov.ng), facilitating seamless communication, and the launch of the E-ID card for civil servants on June 2nd, 2023, aimed at strengthening identity management and streamlining recognition.
โThe introduction of the Anambra Cloud, a robust cloud infrastructure, addressed the critical need for a centralized data repository. Collaborating with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the agency initiated an automated budget process for efficiency and transparency.
โGovernor Soludo’s initiatives, including zero charges on Right-of-Way (RoW) and the ongoing efforts towards the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point, further demonstrate a commitment to enhancing digital access and fostering high-speed broadband internet connection for all,โ he said.
