Joel Osaigbovo Aluge, Reporting
Benin City, Edo State
Edo State government has embarked on a training programme for Local Government Workers across three senatorial districts on E-Governance (E-Gov) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in a bid to enhance efficiency and transparency in governance.
The exercise, which kicked off with the training of officers in Edo South Senatorial District, took place at the ICTA Hall in the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) is aimed at equipping Local Government Workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage technology in their day-to-day operations.
The training encompasses a wide range of modules, including Computer Appreciation, Information Communication Technology Collaborative Tools, Microsoft Office Tools, Introduction to E-governance, E-governance platforms, among others.
Delivering his welcome address, Edo State’s Head of Service and Chairman of E-governance, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa stressed on the foresight of Governor Godwin Obaseki to change the face of governance in Edo State, harping on the importance of the Local Government tier in adopting digital governance which is designed to strengthen the Civil and Public Service effectiveness and increase transparency.
“Edo State is the most digitalized in the country, thanks to his Excellency, the Governor. Today we can boldly say that Edo is the only State in this country that has transited completely from paper to a paperless government. That is because one man, took it upon himself, which is the Governor of this State and has ensured we move at the pace we have moved from where we were to where we are now. As Head of Service, I do not need to be physically present to treat my files. I can treat my files anywhere in this world. This is what E-governance has done for us,” he said.
Dr. Okungbowa pointed that E-governance has ensured job effectiveness, transparency and timeliness, adding that digital governance is the new way to go especially as it offers numerous benefits to the Civil and Public Service in their day-to-day operations.
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government, Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo stated, “The training is part of the State Government’s commitment to driving innovation and improving service delivery at the grassroots level.”
He emphasized the need for Local Government workers to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and utilize technology to better serve the citizens of Edo State, encouraging the Chairmen of Local Government Councils and Heads of Local Government Administration to emulate the passion of the Governor in the adoption of the E-gov at the Local Governments, which he pointed is key to success.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Tom Uloko described the exercise as pivotal to ensuring that Local Governments adopt and implement e-governance at their own level of administration, describing the training as a tip of the iceberg, as any knowledge acquired would be useful in the implementation of e-governance in their Local Government Areas which had already been equipped with Fibre optic cables to ensure a smooth transition to E-governance.
Chief Tom Uloko further explained that the exercise would cover all Senatorial Districts in the State in the Coming days of the training exercise.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Felicia Edokpolor appreciated the State and Local Governments, for the initiative and taking giant strides in ensuring the full adoption of E-Governance, while thanking participants for their patience and enthusiasm towards the learning process.
The training which was organized by Edo State Government through the Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Local Government, Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Local Government Service Commission, alongside other Government bodies organized in batches for the three senatorial districts had Edo South including, Egor, Oredo, Orhiomwon, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia South-west and Ovia North-East in attendance. Edo Central and North will be trained in the coming days during the week.
Recall that Edo State Government went paperless on the 1st of September, 2023 and the training programme is a testimony to the State Government’s commitment to embracing the digital revolution by investing in the capacity building of its workforce.
The government hopes to create a digital-savvy workforce that can drive growth, development, and good governance in the state.