e-Governance: Archived Documents Reach Seven Million As Edo Transits to Paperless System September 1, Says Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration has embraced technology through the e-Governance system leading to the archiving of seven million government documents in readiness to transit into paperless government operation from September 1, 2023.

Speaking to members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Obaseki said the Executive arm of government is concluding its digitalization processes, requesting the legislative arm to follow suit.

The governor said the new regime will ensure accountability, transparency, effectiveness, efficiency, and quick service delivery to the Edo people.

According to him, “In the area of digitization, one of the conversations we will be having with you in a few weeks’ time is to ask what the legislative arm of this administration is doing in terms of digitizing the legislature. The Executive arm is concluding the digitization process already.

“As of today, we have scanned, archived, and digitalized over seven million government records and from September 1, we are cutting off and transitioning into a paperless government.”

The governor said prior to his assumption of office, the work environment was hazardous, noting that the exit door in case of fire at the state secretariat building was filled with files.

He noted that his visit to the Secretariat Building on November 14, 2016, enabled him to arrive at a sense of direction on the need for paperless government.

“Today, the Edo State Civil/Public Service is the most digitized in Nigeria with over 5,000 computers and fiber optics connections across government offices. By September 1 this year, like I said earlier, Edo State will go completely paperless, which will make us the first State to achieve this feat. I would be the last governor to work on physical files in Edo State.”

Speaking on the September 1 cutoff date, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., said Governor Obaseki has made the State the most e-governance compliant in the country.

“As I speak to you right now, no State in Nigeria is ranked close to us in terms of technology adoption in running government and delivering effective and efficient services to the people.”