…Projects’ll drive digital economy, says Danbatta
The Kaduna Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) built by the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC), alongside five Information Technology
projects by other agencies under the Ministry Communications and Digital
Economy have been commissioned by the Hon. Minister Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim
Pantami.
The NCC’s ECC project, which makes it possible for people of Kaduna and
environs to dial 112 Emergency Number to get help during emergencies
from appropriate emergency response agencies, is aimed at supporting the
Federal Government agenda of enhancing the security of lives and
property in the country.
NCC had built ECC in each of the 36 states of the federation and the
FCT. Nineteen of the ECC have been activated while efforts are ongoing
to extend it to other states.
The Minister also commissioned the Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre
(TIKC) in Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo executed by the Universal
Service Provision Fund (USPF) of NCC. Three other projects by the
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), IT Community
Centre in Katsina and IT Hub each in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),
Zaria Main Campus, Kaduna and the University of Lagos, were also
commissioned.
The sixth project commissioned was the opening of Nigeria Communication
Satellite (NIGCOMSAT)’s Northwest Regional Office in Kaduna.
Speaking during the virtual commissioning of the projects, which took
place at the NCC’s Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora
District, Abuja on Thursday, July 23, 2020 and attended by all heads of
agencies under the ministry, Pantami said the projects were all
connected to the country’s digital economy drive, as contained in the
National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) unveiled by the
President in November last year.
According to him, “these projects are connected to some of the pillars
of the NDEPS, especially with respect to developmental regulation,
digital literacy and skills, solid infrastructure, among others,” urging
Nigerians, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the projects, to take
advantage of the opportunities.
He added that he would continue to work with other ministries,
departments and parastatals of government to ensure teething challenges
facing ICT infrastructure deployment in the country are addressed in
other to deepen digital economy.
Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the occasion, Babagana Zulum; as
well as Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab
Shamsuna and her counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Housing,
Babatunde Fashola who were guests of honour commended the ministry and
its agencies for expanding the footprint of digital economy across the
country.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and
other heads of agencies under the Ministry, have commended the Minister
for promoting synergy among the agencies under his supervision.
According to Danbatta, “the projects will help in leading the country
into a truly- digital economy.”
He restated the Commission’s commitment to ensure a robust broadband
infrastructure in the country, to support government’s initiatives aimed
at accelerating the implementation of National Digital Economy Policy
and Strategy.