Imo Assembly Committee On Digital Economy & E-Govt, Clinton Amdi Pledges Total Commitment

..Promises Developed Technological Govt System 

The Imo State House Of Assembly Committee On Digital Economy And E-Government was on tuesday 20/02/2024 inaugurated by its Chairman, Hon Chief Clinton Amadi (Alaomajijiji)

In his inaugural address, Hon Amadi, who is also the Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency, pledged to use his position and wealth of experience, as a returning lawmaker, to improve on the sector, promising to take advantage of the digital technologies to add value to the transformative agenda of  His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma in the State.  "Digital Information dissemination and training is the target of this Committee. It is a new field that needs new thinking, new direction and new mind. We will make it the envy of others. I assure you, there are a lot of advantages to be derived from it", Hon Clinton Amadi  promised.           

Other members of the Committee include  :  Hon Barrister Emeka Ozurumba, who is the Vice Chairman,             Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji,  who is a Member.  Mrs Ibe is the Clerk of the Committee..         

In their remarks, Members  of the Committee  pledged to assist  and work with the Chairman to develop innovative ideas and technology that will, in no small measure,  meet the expectations of the Shared Prosperity leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma.  While Hon Barrister  Emeka Ozurumba said, "We will collaborate with the Chairman,  to make the Committee succeed,  by giving all our best",  Hon Chief Barrister Sam Osuni said, "I am grateful that I am in this Committee. This is a Committee that has a lot embedded in it. We are intellectually and socially very strong to pilot this Committee. This Committee, though new, has come to stay. This sector is a new discovery. I congratulate all of us, including our dear Governor for all his commitment and sacrifice to make Imo better".     

His Address;

Honourable Colleagues,  I most sincerely welcome you to the inaugural meeting of the Committee on Digital Economy and E-Government.

 Recall that the  Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, on the 16th of November 2023 unveiled the 26 Standing Committees and its Chairmen.  However, I was only sworn-in as an Honourable Member in January 2024. Graciously, I was named the Chairman Of House Committee On Digital Economy and E-Government, and  with you Distinguished Honourable Colleagues,  as Members. I  am not surprised with the composition of the Committee, because I  know the unique qualities in us, and I am very confident we will not disappoint. Digital Information dissemination and training is the target of this committee. It is a new field that needs new thinking, new direction and new mind. We will make it the envy of others. I assure you, there are a lot of advantages to be derived from  it.

We will work towards strengthening the capacity of the State government to develop, adopt and deploy digital technologies to make the system more productive, more  effective, more efficient and more  transparent, thereby improving the Shared Prosperity  Administration's standing . 

Furthermore, we will provide the needed oversight, so as to bring about the structure to accelerate achievements of government in the Digital Economy sector and in the implementation of E-Government in the State.          Nevertheless, the State Government's progress in E-Government is commendable, and with this Committee now in place, we will even achieve more. 

To this end therefore,  this Committee will partner and collaborate  with the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government and other associated Agencies  to see to the training of Civil servants on E-Governance, to make their work much easier and  more effective.  Like I stated earlier,  this  is a new field that needs new thinking, new direction and new mind. What is important now is that we have started, so let us not be deterred by challenges we may encounter.

Moving forward, let me commend His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma, for having the foresight, courage and  vision in creating the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, which is the first of its kind in the country. There wouldn't have been a Committee such as this, if there was no Ministry to collaborate with. Let me also commend Governor Uzodimma for initiating the  training of over 100,000 Imo youths in the Skill-up Imo Project by the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government, all in the bid for them to acquire Digital Skills.  

Therefore, the objective of  Digital Economy in the  State should be seen from the prism of reducing crime and criminality and making us more engaged and focused, and also improving the economy of the state and connecting Imo to the outside world.           

The Global economy is fast changing, and the only available trade today is Digital market. Therefore, there is the need to prepare our youths digitally, because they are the leaders of tomorrow. Also, our civil servants should be prepared digitally, through training and retraining, so as to meet up with the global standard.

Having come this far, let me  explain in summary the concepts of Digital Economy and E-Government :  Digital Economy is the use of information technology to create, adapt, market or consume goods and services, through such novelties as Digital Shared Prosperity Administration, Digital Banking, E-commerce, Virtual Education and other platforms to market ideas, while E-Government is simply Electronic Government, which is the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to government functions and procedures, with the purpose of increasing efficiency, transparency and overall participation of citizens.    

To this end therefore, our Committee will achieve the following objectives :  

1. To effectively oversight  the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government.

2.  To Ensure the Digital needs and demands of the State Government and the Good people of Imo State are met, through strategic initiatives and inputs.  

3. To collaborate with   associated Agencies in  bringing Digital solutions to the state. 

4. To sponsor Bills and Motions that will enhance the Digital  economy of the State.

5. We will work towards strengthening the capacity of the State government to develop, adopt and deploy digital technologies to make the system more productive, more  effective, more efficient and more  transparent, thereby improving the Shared Prosperity Administration's standing .  Note : No 2 and No 5 are similar but not the same.

6. And so on and so forth. 

Distinguished Honourable colleagues, from the above, you will agree with me we have a lot to accomplish as a Committee.  Let us therefore give our best,  by thinking less of ourselves,  and more of the progress of our state.