Application of technology strengthens democratic process, says Bashorun Askia

Against the backdrop of the furore generated by the debate on the mode of transmission of election results, a wider application of information technology would strengthen the democratic process by reducing the impact of the human element, Bashorun Askia Ogieh has said.

Bashorun Askia, managing director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), spoke on Saturday at the elective annual general meeting of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Warri branch to mark its 10th anniversary, held at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.

The National Assembly is still embroiled in the controversy surrounding the restriction on incorporating the electronic transmission of election results into the Electoral Act.

Bashorun Askia, represented by his Executive Assistant, Mrs Anthonette Dick-Duvwarovwo, said widespread intervention of human element in the electoral process was a major impediment to having transparent and credible elections.

He noted that the intensity with which Nigerians clamoured for electronic transmission of election results showed that the people were aware of the real obstacles to credible elections.

“The unmistakable message from this is that Nigerians believe that the less of human element we have in running of government, the more credible our processes will be,” the DESOPADEC boss said.

According to him, the same perception applied to the civil service, the engine room for government, noting that deepening the application of technology and other instruments that reduced the role of human element would improve the quality of governance and reduce waste in the system.

“I am the first to admit that the wheel of government needs the application of information technology to boost efficiency, eliminate waste, block leakages, improve accountability and instill confidence in the people that, indeed, public resources are being appropriately utilized,” Bashorun Askia said.

He urged ANAN to drive the process by designing fool-proof strategies in making government and the other sectors more accountable and transparent.

“Partnering the government in this venture through continuous training, retraining, seminars and workshops by applying modern tools hold the key to a more efficient utilisation of increasingly limited resources for even greater results. In a nutshell, the process of governance has to be digitised and a professional group as ours has to lead the process,” he said.

Bashorun Askia said Nigeria needed ANAN to take the front row seat in charting a fresh course and making government more transparent and responsive in the management of resources.

He commended the Warri branch of ANAN for upholding the ideals of the association, noting that “the success of the changes Nigerians seeks to make to make the society better will depend largely on the advocacy of professional and private sector groups as ANAN.”

Full text:

REMARKS BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DELTA STATE OIL PRODUCING AREAS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, DESOPADEC, BASHORUN ASKIA OGIEH, FCNA, CrFA, AT THE 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY/ELECTIVE AGM OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF NIGERIA, WARRI BRANCH, DELTA STATE ON SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2021.

It is a great pleasure to be here as Chairman as the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Delta State Chapter, Warri Branch holds its 10th year anniversary and elective Annual General Meeting today. I thank you all for this great honour.

At a time like this, it is pertinent to evaluate what happens in the general society and relate it to improving the relevance and critical role of professional groups, like our own, in nation building.

In the past few weeks, the National Assembly has come under immense criticism for a clause in the amendment bill on the Electoral Act which purportedly recommends that election results should not be transmitted electronically by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC. This has elicited rage within the populace against the electoral umpire from all segments of the population.

The unmistakable message from this is that Nigerians believe that the less of human element we have in running of government, the more credible our processes will be.

My reference to this is to draw attention to the perception by a majority of the people that a deeper application of information and communications technology that reduces the impact of human element in processes holds the key to greater confidence on governance by the people.

I am the first to admit that the wheel of government needs the application of information technology to boost efficiency, eliminate waste, block leakages, improve accountability and instill confidence in the people that, indeed, public resources are being appropriately utilized.

I urge you to drive this process by designing fool-proof strategies in making government and the other sectors more accountable and transparent.

Partnering the government in this venture through continuous training, retraining, seminars and workshops by applying modern tools hold the key to a more efficient utilisation of increasingly limited resources for even greater results. In a nutshell, the process of governance has to be digitised and a professional group as ours has to lead the process.

Finally, ANAN is known for its top level ethics and standards. This country needs our association to take the front row seat in charting a fresh course and making government more transparent and responsive in the management of resources.

I am glad that members of ANAN that make up the Warri Chapter have remained steadfast and committed in keeping the flag and ideals of this great professional group aloft. I urge you to maintain and uphold this spirit of ethical conduct because the success of the changes we seek to make our society better will depend largely on the advocacy of professional and private sector groups as ANAN.

Once again, I thank you immensely for finding me worthy to be part of you at this important event. I wish those who will emerge today as the new executive of the Warri Chapter a successful tenure.

Thank you all.

Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA
MD/CEO
DESOPADEC