Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has commended the Federal Government over the implementation of the pilot phase of the local governments digital connectivity project in Imo State.
Governor Uzodinma lauded the speed with which the pilot project was implemented noting that the initiative would enhance efficient governance at local government level and boost public service delivery thereby stimulating socio-economic development at the grassroots level.
The pilot phase of the project has already been implemented in five Local Government Areas in the state. The Local governments are: Ikeduru, Oru East, Isu, Oguta and Ehime Mbano.
The implementation of the project in the remaining 22 local governments in the state would take place in the next three months when the second phase takes off.
Governor Uzodinma’s commendation is contained in a statement made available to the press, at the weekend, by Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi.
The Federal Government’s digital connectivity project implemented by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is aimed at connecting all the 774 local governments in the country to the single national digital network through fiber infrastructure and satellite technology.
The essence of the project is to enable local governments secretariats have access to digital public infrastructure thereby bridging inherent digital gaps better the local governments and the other two tiers of government.
Governor Uzodinma expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for accomplishing Project 774 in five Local governments in the State, noting that the project would reinforce his Imo Digital Economy Agenda designed to ensure the development of a robust Imo digitalization process whereby communities, institutions and business clusters would have enormous and uninterrupted access to the digital services.
Imo Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr Chimezie Amadi assured that his Ministry would deepen the gains of Project 774 in the state by partnering with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to fast-track Governor Uzodinma’s connected Imo Initiative which aims at ensuring ubiquitous broadband connectivity across all communities in Imo.
Noting that Governor Uzodinma is leading digital revolution in the state, making Imo to be ahead of other states in the digital space, he reassured of the preparedness of his Ministry to embrace any innovative initiative geared towards making Imo digitally empowered, accessible and efficient.
The Directors of Administration and General Services of the five local governments in the state where the first phase of the project has been executed recounted the gains the project has yielded in their various local governments since implementation.
Mrs Ngozi Chucks-Osuji of Ehime Mbano and Chief Bede Ugboaja, Isu noted that communications and local security had improved since the advent of the project.
Sir Phil Manu, Ikeduru and Mr. Victor Ayozie, Oguta disclosed that the project had engendered proficiency and productivity in local government administration.