Establish and Strengthen Digital Governance Practice in Plateau State (NGPLS0008)

Commitment ID

NGPLS0008

Commitment Title

Establish and Strengthen Digital Governance Practice in Plateau State

Problem

1. Plateau State has not implemented any digital governance policy. There is a deficit in digital infrastructure, internet access and citizens suffer from bureaucratic bottlenecks in service delivery across government MDAs.
2. In an era where digital transformation is reshaping the way governments interact with their citizens, Plateau State stands at a pivotal juncture and leveraging technology is no longer optional; it is essential for enhancing service delivery, fostering transparency, and empowering citizens.
3. Therefore, a well-crafted digital governance policy will create a transformative framework that addresses critical economic, social, political, and environmental issues through enhancing efficiency economically, increasing citizen engagement and promoting digital literacy, transparency and accountability, improving access to information and improving decision-making with data analytics, promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprint in its environmental aspects.
4. By harnessing technology effectively, it will facilitate improved governance, enhance citizen engagement, and support sustainable development in Plateau State.

Status quo

1. Less than 2% of the population in Plateau State has digital literacy. The status of digital literacy in Plateau state is a work in progress, with the government taking steps to improve it. The State is taking steps by investing in educational initiatives to improve digital skills among citizens and help bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all demographics can benefit from digital advancement.
2. About 80% of government ministries, departments and agencies still conduct their day-to-day activities on paper, a lot of systems in public service delivery are still analogue. With current technological advancements, it is necessary for us to move with the times and adopt technology for the growth and development of the state.
3. Across the 36 states of the federation, Plateau State stands out as a pioneer in recognising the imperative of digital governance, despite a national deficit in implementing digital governance policies, Plateau State is poised to take a transformative leap.

Action

• Establish and strengthen a standard digital governance practice in Plateau State by developing a digital governance policy.
• Enhance citizen participation and engagement in governance
• Improve transparency and accountability in government operations
• Promote digital literacy and inclusion
• Foster innovation and economic growth
• Ensure robust cybersecurity and data protection

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

1. Accountability: The commitment will increase accountability, as citizens will have access to information and hold government officials accountable, making them more likely to follow through on their promises and be transparent in their actions.
2. Stakeholder engagement: The commitment will foster stakeholder engagement, encouraging citizens, civil society, and the private sector to participate in digital governance processes.
3. The commitment will increase knowledge and lead to digitization of government processes, thereby improving public service delivery.
4. Trust building: The commitment will help to build trust between the government, citizens, and stakeholders.
5. Sustainability: The commitment will promote sustainability, as the digital governance policy will make the government more likely to invest in long-term digital governance initiatives.
6. Collaboration: The commitment will encourage collaboration among governments, private sector, and civil society to improve governance in Plateau State.
7. Adaptability: The commitment will lead to a systematic transition from analogue to digital and strengthen the government’s ability to respond to changing circumstances and technologies.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

Having a digital governance policy will leverage the opportunities of evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence, data-driven algorithms, and mass social networks, while also developing policies to deal with the threats, including disinformation, discrimination, and privacy concerns which aligns with Plateau State Government’s mission and vision for open governance in Plateau State.

Primary Policy Area

Digital Governance, Right to Information

Primary Sector

Public Services (general), Science & Technology

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?