The Anambra State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of launching full e-governance, has organized a user Acceptability test training for the new budget automation system. The training, which took place on Monday, September 18, 2023, at the IDK Training Center in Awka, was attended by all relevant stakeholders at the budget initiation department of every MDA.
The training which aims to get feedback from the end-users within various government departments, to adapt the software to users’ concerns will play a critical role in enhancing the development of a more effective and streamlined e-governance system.
The innovative features of this system include IntelliSense and auto summation, which is expected to save time, save cost, improve transparency and accountability, and help to keep users updated on their approved budget, thereby encouraging the appropriate management of State funds.
Speaking at the training, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake, acknowledged that the state was operating a complete manual system before the Soludo administration came on board and began to explore the opportunities that abound with digitization.
“Everything was fully manual and we have done it for almost 2 years. However, we firmly believe that there is untapped efficiency to be gained through automation,” she said.
Further highlighting the transition from manual to digital processes, the Commissioner stated, “This is a journey to build an end-to-end financial management system that will improve the transparency and accountability of government operations in the state.
“When we are done, everything will be faster and more accessible.”
The Anambra State ICT Agency, in alignment with its mandate to automate government operations and introduce modern e-governance systems, is supervising the automation processes.
Addressing the participants at the training session, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency echoed Governor Soludo’s vision of a technologically-driven state.
“Mr. Governor wants a process that is technologically driven, and we are here to ensure that the consultants deliver a platform that is effective, efficient and scalable, one that ultimately delivers on the vision of a livable and prosperous smart mega city, said Agbata.
This effort, no doubt, reflects Anambra State’s emergence as a thriving digital hub, moving closer to its goal of becoming a digitally governed state, a testament of the visionary leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR.