Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission on Friday reemphasized the commissions’ commitment in ensuring the provision of broadband infrastructure across the country to achieve last-mile connectivity.
He stated this at the 4th Quarter Seminar/Induction Ceremony of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporter’s Association (NITRA) held in Lagos.
The theme of the events was: ‘Achieving Last-Mile Connectivity through Affordable Broadband’.
Danbatta, who was represented by Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Deputy Director./ Head, Special Intervention Projects, NCC noted that Nigerian Communications Commission will ensure the provision of broadband infrastructure across the country to achieve last-mile connectivity.
He added that Communications Sector is a catalyst that would provide the needed infrastructure that will enable other sectors of Business, Education, Health, Agriculture, Governance, Finance to thrive.
According to him, “the Communications Sector provides the infrastructure to enable other infrastructures in the different sectors of Business, Education, Health, Agriculture, Governance, Finance and so on.
“The importance of this sector has continued to enhance human capabilities such as healthy life, knowledge, creativity, collaboration, innovation, self-organization and participation in the social, economic and political life of the country as well as impact on economic growth through productivity gains.”
He also revealed that the commission’s activities have impacted on efficient improvements in service delivery that enable national development.
Danbatta explained that telecommunication acts as an enabler to drive socio-economic growth, developments and modernization across all sectors of the economy.
He added that robust and reliable telecoms service lies on adequate broadband infrastructure which will provide the needed impetus to achieve last mile connectivity.
He further stated that the Commission has made plans for massive deployment of 5G infrastructure in the country.
He said, “At the Stakeholders Consultative Forum on 5G Readiness and High Altitude Platform Station Technologies in Abuja recently, the Commission announced its plans for massive deployment of infrastructure for the new technology.
“5G has the potential to be transformational for communities in Nigeria because of the set high requirements for 5G networks: fast, ubiquitously available services provided by infrastructure deployed across all regions.
“The 5G technology has significantly faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices.”
Mr Emma Okonji, Chairman, Nigeria Information and Communications Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) while delivering it opening speech said that broadband infrastructure is an enabler for economic and social growth in a digital economy.
He commended the 15 member committee inaugurated by former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to draw up national broadband strategy for a work well done.
He further commended NCC for achieving the 30 percent broadband penetration target that was set from 2013 to 2018.
Okonji extolled Danbatta’s passion for broadband development in the country, adding that it has further deepened broadband penetration and grew it to the 30.9 percent that we currently achieved.
Engr Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) decried the hostile business environment in the country, noting that it’s the reason why CDMA Company’s died.
He therefore called on the media to help in sustaining the environment by ensuring accurate reportage of the sector.
Adebayo, who was represented by Engr Aremu Olajide, chairman, Technical Committee, appealed on the media to always research on some of the laws being implemented by the state governments and ask questions on the areas of irregularities, citing the tax disputes between the Kogi government and mobile network operators as an example.
He condemned the multiple taxation Telco operators are being subjected to in the industry.
He further called on the support of the association in sustaining the industry through effective reportage.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director of Rack Centre, said that cloud technology will transform Nigeria and Africa if we deploy it in sachet format.
He added that Nigeria run what he called a sachet economy, where we buy things in sachet form, stressing that deploying cloud in sachet format will ensure that it gets to the citizenry easy and faster.