OWERRI: The Honourable Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government in Imo State, Dr. Chimezie Amadi has since assuming office, continued with his familiarization visits to startup tech companies with breakthrough ideas to rapidly bring to reality, the total digital transformation of the state and to reposition its people.
On a Friday, October 21, 2022 visit to the Owerri Tech Hub and co-working space operated by Ihezie Ernest Uchenna, Dr. Amadi reiterated his ministry’s commitment to its policy thrust which is hinged on the six pillars of ‘Imo Digital Economy Agenda’ (IDEA) 2020-2026. He noted that his mission was also to discover first hand, the challenges faced by startups that militates against the government’s goals of realizing a digitalized state, so as to help correct them.
Speaking to the Commissioner, an obviously impressed tech developer using the co-working space and school lecturer, Mr. Njoku Okechukwu Valentine appreciated the Commissioner’s visit and opened up to him.
Njoku recounted ordeals faced by young startups in the hands of some policemen who erroneously believe that everyone carrying or working with a laptop is a cyber criminal. He recalled his own experiences that led him to now carry his work appointment letter about, to show he is law abiding. He advocated for a proper sensitization of the Police Force so they can work to distinguish the good ones from the bad.
The tech developer cum lecturer also gave an insight into his team’s innovation: an artificial intelligence (machine learning algorithms) technology powered app project for traffic management.
According to Njoku Valentine, the app is a “Computer Vision Traffic Management System.” He explained that the system “uses cameras to monitor and regulate traffic (using computer vision algorithms). The system is trained to recognize automobiles and heavy traffic.”
This he said has great economic and social benefits as it will help digitize traffic control in tune with current realities in the state; thereby easing traffic congestion more efficiently. The application when finished can also be used to flag defaulters by capturing their vehicle plate numbers for disciplinary actions and to ensure a smoother traffic flow on Imo roads.
“I will assemble a team of product engineers to build and implement the project, but government needs to invest in it, for its benefits.”
Mr. Njoku prayed for government partnership through the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government (to act as liaison between the developers and the state Ministry of Transport) so as to create the opportunity for experimentation once the project is developed into a prototype.
In his response, Commissioner Chimezie Amadi assured the tech team of government’s interest in and support for the project. He promised to do all that was necessary to help make the traffic app idea successful.
Amadi noted that one of the cardinal Pillars of his ministry’s IDEA 2022-2026, is pillar No. 6 which is to foster effective collaborations and partnerships to help Imo state achieve a digital revolution in line with the vision of positioning Imo as the Leading Digital Economy State in Nigeria.
On the issue of harassment by law enforcement, the Honourable Commissioner regretted the situation and revealed that his ministry had already planned on engaging the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police, as according to him, he had received similar complaints from other young digital tech developers and entrepreneurs during his interactions across the state.
Dr. Chimezie Amadi noted that such an attitude could affect the growing of ideas in the state and become a frustrating factor to the thriving of digital skilled startups.
In his words: “I will be meeting with the Commissioner of Police in the coming week to discuss the issue.”
The Commissioner however, encouraged startups to come together under one umbrella and build a good relationship with the Ministry so as to be captured by a database that officially recognizes and provides them with a valid way of identifying themselves and their legitimate undertakings whenever accosted by law enforcement in the course of their jobs. This he says will help solve the issue for the long term.
It will be recalled that this outlet broke the news of the Imo State government’s unveiling of the IDEA 2022-2026 which has as one of its major objectives, the creation of opportunities for Imo Digital Startups to solve local and global challenges; and to provide an enabling environment to spur ground breaking innovative solutions for local and global challenges leveraging emerging technologies.
This is in furtherance of His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodinma’s mission to build smart cities which leverage digital technologies to drive governance, innovation and entrepreneurship while promoting value creation and prosperity for all.
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