By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has initiated moves to increase the automation and digitization of its operations in order enhance the productivity of the organization.
Director General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim who made this known at the organization’s four day leadership retreat in Uyo yesterday said it has already strengthened it’s ICT department as a fulcrum to digitize and automate it’s operations.
Some of the organization’s key operations already digitized according to the DG include it’s Conformity Assessment Programme Scheme, Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, Ports and Borders Processes, Library Services, Payment System and National Registry for Conformity Assessment Practitioners.
He said that the automation of workflow for the organisation to significantly reduce the use of papers and physical files has been ongoing while he has set up a Modernization Committee comprising of representatives of relevant departments to drive the organisation’s ICT roadmap.
“It is in this context that this Retreat has been designed to discuss issues around the state of our IT infrastructure and build consensus amongst Management staff on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of SON through digitization.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you already know, digitization is a key driver of standardization and economic growth in both developed and developing countries across the world.
“Digitizing the public sector operations and services like our Organisation enhances rapid industrialization which in turn would create jobs, reduce poverty and insecurity in our country.
“The Retreat will also serve as an opportunity to have a general overview of all our Departments by measuring the attainment of their KPIs.” Salim explained.
Efforts the DG said has also been intensified to minimize charges and fees for inspection by improving revenue through standard levies on some industries, from company tax or from import duties.
He said more operational vehicles have been procured for it’s operations and expressed hope that the FG would provide the needed funds for them to execute some of their outstanding capital projects.
In a keynote speech, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr Inuwa Abdullahi commended SON for their drive towards improved efficiency and productivity through a deliberate investment in ICT.
Abdullahi who was represented by Dr Aristotle Omowu expressed confidence that the new initiative and collaboration with NITDA would also help the organisation to reduce human workload, increase transparency, reduce redundancy and increase revenue generation in SON.
