Reps Query $550 ICT Expenses, Urge Consolidation of Projects

Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, chairman, House Committee on ICT has called for the consolidation of ICT projects by various federal government agencies to reduce the whopping $550 million being spent on ICT related schemes annually.

Gusau who led an oversight visit to Galaxy Backbone queried the wasteful duplication of ICT projects by Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

He also wondered why the agencies could not work hand-in-hand with Galaxy Backbone and NIGCOMSAT adding that the time has come for the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate their data under the same umbrella as a cost saving measure.

Gusau said the country was utilizsing about 15 to 20 percent of its annual budget on ICT related expenses and, stating that thecommittee was ready to champion the crusade for a shift in the line of expenditure.

“I am concerned that the scarce forex that we have is being spent outside the country. $550 million goes out to foreign service providers. 15 to 20 per cent of the National Budget goes to ICT related services on a yearly basis,” he said.

He expressed delight that Galaxy Backbone is patronizsing NIGCOMSAT, adding that it portends a good omen for the nation in terms of saving of scarce resources. According to him, his committee would push for a consolidation of all the MDAs ICT programmes in the 2014 budget.

“We will take in to the level of the executive, Head of Service and the Secretary to the Government and the budget Office as well.