The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and three other agencies under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy have continued its effort to carry out people-focused projects to propel President Muhammad Buhari’s digital economy agenda.
The other agencies include the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Galaxy Backbone.
These government agencies have once again proven their commitment along the path of advancing FG’s digital economy agenda at the commissioning of 11 new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects which took place virtually.
The project implementation was carried out under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy headed by Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami in the capital city of Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
Some of the commissioned projects by the minister include the Emergency Communication Centres (ECC’s) in Calabar, Cross River and Ilorin, Kwara State.
Other projects which got commissioned include Virtual Examination Centre, University of Maiduguri, Borno State; and the e-Health/Data Sharing Centre, Medical College, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
USPF also carried out two projects; School Knowledge Centre (SKC) located at Government Day Secondary School, Hassan Central, Gombe State and the Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC), Delta State.
Three projects were implemented by NITDA which include: Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Information Technology (IT) and Incubation Park, University of Ayangba, Kogi State and the ICT Capacity Building Centres at the College of Education, Gumel, Jigawa State.
NIPOST also commissioned the new Neighborhood Post Office/NIRSAL Microfinance bank branch, Delta State and Remodeled National Mail Exchange Centre (Mbiama), Ahoada West Local Government Area of River State.
Pantami while speaking at the virtual commissioning noted that more than 500 projects have been carried out by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy during the past 5 years.
According to the minister, the implemented projects are in connection with the 3 point agenda of President Buhari that focused on diversification of the economy, curbing corruption and national security.
The minister also commented that the 11 commissioned projects are in line with seven out of the eight pillars of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as unveiled in 2019 by President Buhari.
Pantami expressed appreciation towards the President for his support to the Ministry in combating the challenges around telecom infrastructure vandalism, Right of Way (RoW) issues and other challenges that may stand in the way of the 70 per cent of the broadband penetration as envisaged by the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).
Prof. Adeolu Akand, Chairman, NCC Governing Board thanked Dr. Pantami for the work he is doing under his Ministry for the projects. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, re-expressed the NCC’s commitment in carrying out programmes and policies targeted at fast-tracking the Federal Government digital economy vision advancement.
Governers and ministers were present at the event, special guests among them are the Governor of Imo, who Chaired the occasion, Governor of Gombe State, Minister of State for Education, Minister of Interior, Minister of State for Mines and Power, including staff of the Ministry, board members and heads of agencies under the ministry.
The special guests commended the Minister for commissioning the important projects and for enhancing synergy between the Ministry and its agencies.
Featured Image
L-R: Executive-Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Governor of Imo State/Chairman of the Occasion, Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Minister of Information & Culture, Lai Muhammed, during the virtual commissioning of 11 new ICT Projects located across the country which were executed by agencies under the Ministry in Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to cfamedia weekly digest for updates.
