.jpeg)
Jane Otu, South South
DAILY COURIER - Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered an immediate review of the state's electronic governance platform following the discovery of a significant data security threat. The review was prompted by concerns that the platform is being operated by unidentified non-state actors from the backend, leaving the state’s public service without administrative control over the system.
The announcement, which was made in a Government Special Announcement dated 25th November 2024, was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor. The statement revealed that the e-governance platform, originally initiated by the previous administration, was being run and operated without oversight from Edo State government officials. This situation, according to the statement, poses a serious data security risk, as the state’s governance system could be at the mercy of external consultants or unauthorized individuals.
Governor Okpebholo’s decision comes after alarming reports indicated that no one within the Edo State Public Service had access to the administrative controls of the platform, a situation that could compromise sensitive government data and operations. The statement also dismissed rumors circulating on social media suggesting that the e-governance platform had been shut down by the current administration.
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to a report making the rounds that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration has shut down the e-governance platform initiated by the previous administration. Nothing could be further from the truth,” the announcement stated. Instead, the government emphasized that the platform would remain operational while the review is conducted, and all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) would continue to use the platform in the interim.
Governor Okpebholo described the situation as a clear and present data security threat, urging that immediate corrective action be taken to secure the platform and restore full administrative control to the state government. He emphasized that the lack of institutional memory within the current e-governance structure must be addressed to ensure proper governance in the state.
“To remedy this clear and present danger, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate review of the entire e-governance platform with a view to enabling the Edo State government to gain total administrative control of the platform,” the statement added.
As the review process moves forward, the Edo State government has committed to restoring the platform to a fully secure and transparent system, ensuring that it will serve the state’s needs efficiently and safely.
.jpeg)
