Dr Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications has said that Federal government is committed to support the growth of digital economy in the country.
He gave this assurance at the ongoing 2018 ICTEL EXPO organized by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, taking place at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The minister represented by Mrs.Monisola Udoh, Director of ICT, ministry of communications, said that “we are committed to supporting digital economy in its laudable endeavor and vision to bridge the gap between Nigeria and the rest of the world in information and communications technology”.
He noted that the ministry will support the establishment of companies or organizations in the area of hardware and software by ensuring that they are protected through regulations or other means.
He said, “We will assist them to grow. We have accepted that Nigeria must take the leadership role in Africa’s ICT ecosystem.
“Therefore, we are amenable to PPP relationships to drive the ministry’s projects, 2018 and beyond must be a year of action.”
He stated that to ensure efficiency and competitiveness in the 21st century ICT ecosystem, “the ministry had conceived a national ICT park and exhibition centre in the federal capital territory and other parts of the country.
“Proposed the establishment of a National ICT bank and full implementation of the national broadband plan, ICT roadmap 2017-2020 and the implementation of the eGovernment masterplan.”
He added that his ministry will collaborate with the organizers of ICTEL to create a platform where organizations and startups can pitch their innovative ideas.
These ideas according to her will be passed through a structured selection process to come up with marketable innovations for implementation by the federal government.
Speaking earlier, Mr.Babatunde Ruwase, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that there is no better time to harness the benefits of ICT than now, that the Nigerian economy is in dire need of diversification and sustainable recovery.
He emphasized that ICT is strategic in driving productivity and efficiency in all sectors of the economy, noting that virtually all sectors leverage ICT for optimal performance.
He added that impact of ICT in the economy can be seen in the financial service sector, where electronic banking is now the vogue, the agricultural sector, where government allocates farm inputs through mobile phones to farmers, the consumer goods sector where online stores and e-commerce has brought an incredible transformation to retail business.
“The fact is that ICT has become the backbone of businesses,” he stated
Ruwase, said that in spite of the phenomenal growth we have witnessed in the sector over the last two decades, that there is still enormous potentials yet untapped, stressing that the Expo is one of the major platforms that offer opportunities to unlock these untapped potentials.
He noted that Lagos Chamber of commerce and industry through the Expo is providing a credible platform to advance the opportunities and linkages in the world of ICT.
“We are committed to the building of economic and commercial ties across all subsectors and players in the ICT sector.
“We plan to continuously broaden the horizon and scope of the Expo over the coming years.
“We see great investment opportunities coming from closer interactions and business integration among ICT players and their customers,” he added.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman / CEO Nigerian Communications commission, (NCC) represented by Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, Director, Consumers Affairs Bureau, NCC, lauded LCCI for putting its name , immense clout and resources behind the development of the ICT sector.
In his words,” It is heartwarming to note that LCCI is also putting its name, its immense clout and its resources behind the development of the ICT sector.
“I believe that your focus on ICT underscores your realization of the increasingly pivotal role that ICT plays in driving national competitiveness.
“I am also pleased to note that you have chosen for this Expo the overall theme of Developing Efficiency and Competitiveness in the Digital Age.
Danbatta, noted that the commission is focused on bringing efficient, qualitative and affordable ICT platforms within the reach of every Nigerian, whether individual or corporate.
He added that this can be achieved through the focused implementation of its 8-point agenda, Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the ICT Roadmap.