Speaking at the launch, the executive governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said that the importance of science and technology would not be over-emphasised, stressing that availability of data had shown that in the course of the last decade, both governments and business ventures have changed dramatically in response to shifts in technological paradigms, hence bringing increased competition and advancement in economic, political and social life. "As the singular catalyst for globalisation, the internet is believed to be responsible for these changes" he declared, adding that it has become the "biggest phenomenon since the industrial revolution of the 18th century.
He noted that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), when appropriately put in use, will create the template for sustainable technological development and also evolve strategies for dissemination of the digital culture and promotion of dialogue between the people of the state and others through the use of electronic networking.
And by launching the website, he noted that "anyone who could access the state website could listen to the state radio station 97.5 FM from any part of the world."
According to a press statement endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Preye Wariowei, the state government also intends to put in place a centre for technology innovation.
This, Wariowei said, would be aimed at attracting technology friendly companies and organisations around the globe to conduct "innovative research and briefings using the website facility."
And to encourage the use of technology, especially the internet in the state, Gov. Alamieyeseigha was quoted in the press statement as saying that all political appointees and top government functionaries would soon undergo a two-day training exercise.
He stressed that the launch of the website represents the government's efforts to present the administration to global challenges, thereby marketing the state through the internet.
"Government would use the website as a channel for delivering basic e-government services to the citizens of the state and beyond," the governor said.
Also speaking at the launch of the website powered by Millennium Choice Technologies, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, represented by Director of Technical Services in the ministry, Dr. Moses Obaro, said the global trend now is a shift from regular governance to e-governance based on deployment of information technology.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr. Tobias James, said it was the vision of strategically placing the state that propelled the administration to create the website.
"Using information technology as the engine room for sustainable development propelled Gov. Alamieyeseigha to approve the development of a state website," he pointed out.
Quelle: AllAfrica, 20.01.2004
