The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), have signed  a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly work towards accelerating the digitisation reform process in government.

NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said collaboration between the two organisations is consistent with NCC’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) to  partner with relevant stakeholders.

Danbatta said that the MoU would enhance efficiency and productivity as it adequately captured the roles of enabling policies and implementing institutions, which were key features of digital transformation.

He also said the commission would continue to drive broadband penetration, which provides the backbone upon which such process will thrive.

“It is for this reason that the Nigerian National Broadband Plan document, made adequate provisions for the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country.

“It is this same infrastructure that will drive services that will result in the transformation of governance as well as the key services sector in the economy,” he said.

Danbatta said: “At the completion of the process, governance will be paperless, chief executive officers will be able to deal with mails without necessarily signing most things offline because virtually everything will be done online.

“Indeed, the transition will be worth it, as the process is associated with efficiency, which naturally results from operating a paperless system of governance or administration at the level of entities such as the BPSR and NCC.

“We attach a lot of importance to the way and manner we collaborate with sister agencies of government to give translation.

“To ensure the actualisation of that important item of our Strategic Vision Plan that is strategic collaboration and partnership, it explains why we are signing this  MoU.”

In his response, the Director-General, BPSR, Dasuki Arabi said that the bureau took the decision to work with the commission in driving the reforms for the adoption of emerging technologies.

This, he said, was as a result of NCC’s  emergence as the first organisation to win its Platinum Award, exceeding expectations in the way it conducts its businesses.

Arabi said the MoU would provide a window of opportunity to consolidate efforts to deliver strong and resilient public service that would lead a well-functioning federal system wherein zero- tolerance for corruption was made practicable.

He said that efforts to improve equitable and unhindered access to government information and services were producing a direct impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

Arabi said: “Historically speaking, this partnership had begun in 2016 when the Commission became the first agency of government to undergo the BPSR online Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).

“Remarkably, at the end of the assessment, NCC emerged as the first agency to be rated Platinum Organisation by the Tool, having exceptionally exceeded expectations in all good practices built around nine domain areas.

“The MoU will also help foster a high degree of cooperation between Federal and State governments in improving service delivery.

“It will also address Transparency International Corruption Perception Index to significantly improve safe and secure environment that encourages economic growth and investment.” (NAN)