Why 90% of FG projects fail, 95% of security compromised – NITDA

Following the discovery that about 90 per cent of the Federal Government’s Information Technology (IT) projects fail, while 95 per cent of security requirements are compromised, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced new registration and licensing of I T contractors and service providers.

According to a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by NITDAS’s Director General, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, all IT contractors, doing businesses with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), other government establishments, the Organised Private Sector(OPS) and the general public are expected to come for new licenses for the purposes of procurements, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with Government establishments and Private Sector.

Expressing the level of incompetence witnessed among some service Providers, Pantami said, “The Agency is dismayed at the raising number of failing IT projects within Federal MDAs and other government establishments.

“NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90% of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95% of their security is compromised.

“In order to curtail this and in line with the Agency’s mandate and the recent Presidential Executive Order 005 for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology, as mandated by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the registration and licensing of IT contractors and Service providers has become expedient,” he informed.

The NITDA boss explained that the process “aims at ensuring the emergence of robust indigenous IT Service Providers and Contractors, guaranteeing the delivery of sustainable IT projects, as well as engendering professionalism in the IT service industry.

“The process will also ensure that IT projects in MDAs will only be executed by indigenous companies where in-country capacity exists,” he stressed.

He stated that NITDA would take further steps to monitor and ensure the capacity development of Nigerians employed by IT Contractors and other Service providers.

He added that the Agency will, in conjunction with relevant agencies, investigate any project that has failed to determine the root cause of the failure and apply sanctions where necessary or to refer such cases to other relevant authorities.

“All firms desirous of providing IT services and contracts to Federal MDAs and other government establishments are advised to initiate the registration process with immediate effect” he maintained.

According to Pantami, guidelines on the registration process can be accessed by visiting NITDA’s website.