UNODC’S collaboration with the ICPC for ICT upgrade
The Commission has benefited a lot from the assistance of the UNODC. The European Union provided a grant as a form of support to anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, which is supervised by the National Planning Commission (NPC).
As part of the 2014 work plan, the UNODC provided hardware as part of the ICT component as a form of institutional strengthening of the Commission.
The Commission now has a special goCIS (Criminal Investigation Software). This is also being used for special training of staff on its use.
The commission has constituted a 15-man task force team/committee to test-run the beta version of goCIS that was installed. The team has successfully carried out the test-running of the beta version of the goCIS and will review it periodically and critique it.
It is worthy to note that the UNODC had already commenced training for some members of staff on the use of goCIS at the Petition Registry. The Hon. Chairman was present at one of the sessions to underscore the importance of the milestone in the upgrade of the Commission’s ICT infrastructure.
UNODC TRAINING FOR STATE OFFICES
Key staff in three pilot state offices: Enugu, Kaduna and Lagos have been identified for the purpose of training them on the use of the goCIS software. After the Petition Registry, the three pilot state offices will be the next target for the establishment of data exchange centres.
DIGITIZATION OF PETITIONS
The process of digitization of petitions from year 2000 to 2014 has begun and will be concluded in May 2015. So far year 2000 to 2013 has been concluded and the aim is to upload the digitized petitions onto goCIS. This is expected to create a seamless information storage and retrieval system to enhance the Commission’s work process.
Local Area Network (LAN)/Bandwidth
Further to the Chairman’s directive, the ICT Unit has processed for the upgrade of the Commission’s bandwidth from 1Mb Duplex to a minimum of 4Mb, full Duplex. The bandwidth upgrade has increased the internet access and rate/speed within the Commission’s workspace, for all staff to utilize optimally and effectively.
As a result of this upgrade, the Commission will soon deploy video-conferencing within its workspace to improve communication with the zonal offices. This will be implemented in phases, subject to availability of resources.
Status of the Commission’s Intranet
It is instructive to note that the Commission has given approval for the resuscitation of the Commission’s intranet. By this approval, all staff of the Commission will be able to seamlessly exchange digital information internally within the Commission’s workspace.
Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN)
The Hon. Chairman has directed that the ICT Unit should work in partnership with AfriHub Plc. on various ICT trainings for members of staff. The Commission will also deploy an E-library at the headquarters (HQ) and the ICPC academy. A special framework has been created to enable the academy to be used as an examination centre for various external and internal examinations. To this effect, the Commission has already entered into an agreement with the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) so that its examinations can take place at the Academy.
In conclusion, it is clear that the Commission is proactively addressing the ICT issues within its system.