In line with the Digital Agenda of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology has organized a stakeholders’ meeting to develop a digital and technology policy for the accelerated development of the State.
Speaking during the stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Benin City, the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Bartholomew Brai, expressed appreciation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations, corporate organizations and various technology hubs for their willingness to collaborate in reviewing existing policies with a view to developing a standard framework for digital transformation across various sectors of the State.
According to him, the world has turned into a digital sphere where no organization can operate efficiently without the use of digital technology.
The Commissioner, who emphasized the high premium the Edo State government places on digital transformation, said Governor Obaseki has made commendable efforts in this direction which has led to the establishment of the Ossiomo Power plant that now provides electricity to all Government offices, other public and even private facilities in parts of the State.
The Digital Economy Ministry said it is aspiring to develop a digital economy policy and strategy document for the State and is working in collaboration with TECH4DEV and the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy along with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
Mr Oluwafemi Awopegba, a representative of TECH4DEV that is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, said they would engage stakeholders of various MDAs working with the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology in the State in order to ascertain the lapses, limitations and ways to proffer solutions to challenges.
In her closing remarks at the end of the 5-day stakeholders’ meeting, the Convener of the Stakeholders’ Meeting and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Yuwa Naps, expressed gratitude to the participants for their various contributions during the meeting and assured that the policy that will emerge from their inputs would be of immense benefit to everyone, especially in the health, agriculture, education and other sectors of the State.
While emphasizing that the policy is in accordance with Governor Obaseki’s Agenda to Make Edo Great Again, she noted that digital development is also part of the ongoing plans for the development of the State.
