The umbrella body of Information Technology (IT) professionals in the country, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has asked the Executive arm of the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the bill before the National Assembly for the amendment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, because it lacks stakeholders input, reports ITREALMS.
This call was made by NCS President, Prof. Adesina Sodiya while reviewing the industry with ITREALMS on Tuesday in Lagos, insisting that the current bill as presented lacks any stakeholder input in entirety, as most of the inputs were merely collated but jettisoned eventually.
He alleged that none of NCS’ input, for instance, during so-called Stakeholders Engagement held earlier in 2022 was contained or accommodated in the current document under circulation as presented before the National Assembly.
Aside lacking of stakeholders’ input, Prof. Sodiya narrowed down to some specifics, stressing that NITDA bill 2022 infringes on the Act setting up the Computer Professional (Registration) Council of Nigeria (CPN), likewise so many other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“From about twenty (20) recommendations that NCS proposed for the NITDA Bill, none was deemed fit as relevant,” he lamented.
Sodiya, accompanied by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Adesegun Adekunle and other members of the executive council virtually, also outlined some four key NCS’ recommendations for the proposed NITDA bill as a major stakeholder in the Information Technology (IT) eco systems, including Part II Sec(2b), Part II Sec(2c), Part II Sec(2d &2e) and Part III Sec 8(1-5).
On Part II Sec (2b), NCS posited that the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology is still relevant and should be included in the Part II Sec (2b) of the NITDA Act. Representatives of both regulatory and professional bodies in IT practice should be represented on the board of NITDA.
They advocated for sustaining of the initial clause in the existing Act Part II Sec(2c,stressing that four persons to represent affiliate bodies of the Computer Professionals’ Registration Council of Nigeria, noting that representatives of CPN are the only practicing professionals on the board of NITDA till date.
“Removing them will deny NITDA of vital contributions of IT professionals in its decision and policy-making,” NCS president declared.
On the Part II Sec(2d &2e), Prof. Sodiya pointed out that NCS had recommended that “Two persons with cognate experience in IT practice and registered with CPN from Departments of Computer Science or IT related disciplines to represent the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.”
In addition, NCS had proposed that “six persons who are experts in the area of Information Technology and licensed to practice IT by CPN; appointed by the President from each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria,” be adopted.
Whereas, on Part III Sec 8(1-5), NCS maintained that “Section 4, Part III Sub-section 8 (1-5), (1) should be reinstated” maintaining that “A candidate for the post of DG must possess academic qualifications and cognate experience of not less than ten (10) years in Computing and Information Technology related disciplines.
“Experience in the following field could be an added advantage; Administration, Engineering, Finance & Management” arguing that the return to the existing Act will sustain the powers of NITDA board, as truly development agency.
Sodiya also listed some of the achievements of NCS in the just ended year 2022 to include improved recognition and good governance, inclusive growth and collaboration, enhanced programmes and activities to name but a few.
NCS is the umbrella body of all Information Technology (IT) professionals and practitioners in the country, with memberships across many interest groups and stakeholders serving the interest of all and the nation in the IT eco System.
ITREALMS recalls that NCS has remained relevant in promoting IT developmental values and steadfast in the pursuance of its goals and vision.
