Make Abuja smart city, reduce corruption – Expert

An expert in information and communication technology (ICT) has said making Abuja a smart city will address many challenges, particularly corruption in Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Chairman, Khairu Technology, Mr Nurudeen Hammanyero, stated this at the training of FCT senior staff of department of information and communications on the advantages of running a smart city. 

“A smart city is a municipality (settlement) that uses ICT to increase operational efficiency,  share information with public and improve both quality of  governments services and citizens welfare. 

It is designation given to a city that incorporates ICT to enhance the utility and performance of urban services such as energy, transportation and utilities in order to reduce resources consumption wastage and overall cost. 

“A smart city is an urban development vision to integrate multiple ICT solutions in a secured fashion to manage a city asset which include but not limited to local department information  system schools, libraries, transportation system, hospitals,  power plants, water supply network,  waste ,an age mentioned,  law enforcement and other communication services,” he said.

Hammanyero noted that some of the government agencies like health, agriculture, communication  and individuals, have already attain  some levels of electronic development.  

He said, “You know your government is running you don’t need to suffer to get any information from the government.  

“When you talk about corruption, there is need for the government to create awareness to the citizens to embrace good governance. Some people even practice corruption without knowing they are practicing it. The government must create awareness from the grassroots to the top that is all what corruption is all about.”

He stressed that it is possible for the country to achieve smart city, “Nigeria can achieve smart city if the government is committed and the citizens are determined to make it work”.