by crossriverwatch admin
The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, has said his administration will continue to expand ways the Smartgovplatform can be used to raise new revenues for the state government.
The Smartgov, which is an identity management and e-payment infrastructure for state governments first deployed in Cross River State in 2011. The Smartgov project, done in conjunction with Smartgov.CRSG Limited, has enabled CRSG to create a state-wide Identity management system for residents and corporate in the state.
It has also facilitated the issuance of biometric-based Identity Cards providing cardholders with access to healthcare, pension, transportation, educational bursaries, social amenities and social benefits. It has also has facilitated the automation of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) revenue sources and services and the reduction of government processing cost.
A statement quoted Imoke to have said during the 2014 budget presentation that using the Smartgov platform, the state would continue to raise new revenues and deliver improved services to the citizens.
According to the Managing Director of Smartgov CRSG Limited, Mr. Jonah Adams, the development of the platform by Interswitch and its deployment reflected CRSG’s determination to improve governance, accountability and access to social services for citizens and Interswitch’s position as the leading provider of e-payment technologies in Nigeria.
“We are extremely proud of our achievements to date in Cross River State and the renewed commitment from CRSG to extend the use of the Smartgov identity management and e-payment infrastructure to eliminate wastage and grow revenues. It is our mission to help state governments to offer their citizens a more efficient service and better value for money,” Adams said.
Also speaking, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Transnational, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe said: “The success of Smartgov in Cross River state has given us even greater determination to roll out our solution across all state governments in Nigeria. By doing so we can give Nigerians everywhere a more effective and efficient service from government that utilises the latest world-class e-payment and identity management technologies.”
The use of Smartgov enables state governments to automate ministries, departments and agencies, identify all citizens and residents, track and monitor usage of social services, enhance internally generated revenue and automate disbursements and payments by government. This also enables the state government to grow revenue, eliminate wastage, simplify governance and increase access to government
Culled from Thisday
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