Nigeria IT agency lambasts govt agencies over inactive websites

The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has berated Federal Ministries and agencies over inactive websites and poor online service delivery.

A statement signed by Isa Pantami, Director General of the agency, said an assessment done by the NITDA revealed that some government agencies do not have websites.

According to Mr. Patanmi, the assessment was done in compliance with the Executive Order signed by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbanjo, on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment.

He explained that the Executive Order was designed to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria, as it  relates to the use of ICT for efficient service delivery.

But the NITDA boss noted that the assessment revealed that some ministries either have no active websites or are not registered on .GOV.NG domain.

The statement explained further that most of the websites were not in conformity with published standards and guidelines for government websites.

“Most of the websites do not have feedback and information necessary to facilitate ease of doing business,” the statement said.

“For instance, only 25% and 37% of the websites have reachable phone numbers and email addresses respectively.

“In addition, some of the websites do not have complete list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision and the content outdated.”

The statement noted that businesses and citizens expect more transparent, accessible, and responsive services from government agencies and it is essential that Federal Ministries take the lead in ensuring that information provided on their websites meets such expectations.

The agency, therefore, called on affected Federal Ministries to ensure that, “contact information are accurate and reachable and means of interaction such as online feedback are integrated” on the website.

It also directed that the, “content and the list of website links of the Agencies under their supervision are complete and up-to-date; and detailed requirements or conditions for service provision and electronic mode of communicating acceptance and rejection of applications as stated in the executive order are conspicuously published.”

Furthermore, the NITDA said that government agencies at all levels are required to use the .GOV.NG domain in line with Nigerian content in ICT promotion, adding that the domain is Nigerian Government identity on the Internet.

The NITDA boss explained that the agency had put in place more efficient and effective measures to improve service delivery of the .GOV.NG domain management and administration and quick turnaround has been achieved.

“Requests for domain registration and other support services are attended to within 24hrs if all the requirements are provided,” the statement said.

“Further information on these requirements can be obtained by sending requests to domains@nitda.gov.ng,” it added.