Smartgov platform, an identity management and e-payment infrastructure for state governments first deployed in Cross River State Nigeria is set to be used to raise new revenues according to an announcement during the 2014 budget presentation to the state assembly.
First deployed in 2011, Smartgov was developed by Interswitch in partnership with the Cross River State Government (CRSG) in amove to improve governance, accountability and access to social services for citizens.
Speaking during the 2014 budget presentation, Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State, has said that his government will expand ways Smartgov was being used. Smartgov helps state governments 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 grows revenue, eliminates wastage, simplifies governance and increases access to government services.
According to Mr. Jonah Adams, Managing Director, Smartgov.CRSG Limited, “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.”
The Smartgov project has enabled CRSG to create a state-wide Identity Management System for residents and corporate in the state (the first state in Sub-Saharan Africa) while biometric-based Identity Cards have also been issued, providing cardholders with access to healthcare, pension, transportation, educational bursaries, social amenities and social benefits. Smartgov has facilitated the automation of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) revenue sources and services and the reduction of government processing cost.
Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Transnational, said the success of Smartgov in Cross River State has given them a greater determination to roll out the solution across all state governments in Nigeria.
