The Kogi State House of Assembly has adopted the report of house joint committee of Information Strategy, Publicity, Judiciary, Justice and legal matters on the Kogi State Information Technology bill.
Presenting the report before the House, the Chairman, house joint committee of information strategy and publicity and judiciary justice and legal matters on the Kogi State Information Technology bill and member representing Ogori Magongo State Constituency
Hon. Bode Ogunmola asserted that
the bill is a novel law and will help the judges in interpreting with discernment the spirit and letters of the bill when passed.
According to him, some of the objective of the bill when passed into law includes establish enabling policies, infrastructure and roadmap to support information technology driven development;
“The bill when passed into law will promote conducive environment that will foster transformation of Information Technology (IT) ideas into scalable businesses and solution; advance scientific research and development in key Information Technology (IT) sectors that will address local challenges and enhance competitiveness;
” It will enhance digital literacy and technological proficiency; and strengthen collaboration and partnership with academics, industry, other government agencies and intellectual organisations for the purpose of leveraging expertise, resources, and best practices in promoting Information Communication Technology (ICT)”.
The Committee suggested that removal of key appointees should be subjected to legislative control of the State Assembly just like confirmation.
Continuing, Ogunmola said”Clause 11 be amended by deleting “and 9” after Section 7 (c) and rewrite the clause as follows: Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 (c) of this Law, the Director-General of the Agency may be removed by the Governor for inability to discharge the functions of the office by an address supported by the resolution of 2/3 majority of the House of Assembly praying that the member be so removed, whether the inability is of the mind or body or for misconduct.
The Director-General may resign his appointment by notice in writing to the Governor.
” The marginal note of Clause 10 be changed to read: “Public Service Rule Applicable to Staff while the clause be re-drafted as follows:
Subject to the provisions of this Law, the Agency shall be bound by the Public Service Rules of the State relating generally to the condition of service of staff and other such other matters relating to, appointment, promotion, termination, dismissal and disciplinary control of staff or employees of the Agency; and
appeals by staff or employees against dismissal or other disciplinary measures in compliance with Public Service Rule of the State with such modification as may be necessary to the employees of the Agency
It would be recalled that the Kogi State House of Assembly at its plenary sitting on Tuesday May 28 2024 referred the bill to the Joint Committee of Information, Strategy and Publicity and Judiciary, Justice and Legal Matters, after an exhaustive debate on the general principles and Merit of the Bill for a Law to provide for the establishment of the Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency and other Matters connected Therewith, 2024.
It was further learnt that the bill is a Private Member Bill proposed to establish legal framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Kogi State.