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Nigeria Needs N15trn To Bridge Digital Infrastructure Gap -ATCON
The Association of Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria (ATCON) says Nigeria requires over N15trillion to bridge the infrastructure funding gap for the telecom/ICT industry.
The President of the Association, Mr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, disclosed this, yesterday, when he led other newly elected National Executive Council of the Association on a familiarization visit to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, in his office in Abuja.
He said that the visit was predicated on the need to introduce and familiarize with the minister, who had shown a lot of commitment and determination in addressing issues that the ICT industry is saddled with and to deliberate with the minister on key issues affecting the industry and the economy.
Nnamani, who commended the minister for his loadable initiatives that have brought unprecedented growth to the industry, urged the minister to do more in ensuring that the digital infrastructure gaps are closed and to enable the country to tap into the huge benefits of the digital economy.
The ATCON President further explained that the primary objective of the association targeted programs is to compliment the concerted efforts of the ministry in respect of making broadband pervasive and ubiquitous as well as to encourage state governments and private sector to aid the growth and development through strategic investment in technology and broadband in their respective states.
He said, ‘‘Your timely intervention has led to the growth and development that the ICT sector has witnessed since you were sworn in as minister.
‘‘This visited as put together to demonstrate the respect that we have for you and your office as records are there to show that the development of the sector is highly paramount in your strategic plans. Challenges that have plagued the industry for a very long time are now being addressed by you and your team. Notable among this is the progress made in the National Identity Number (NIN), Right of Way (RoW) and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), and digitization of the economy.
‘‘More recent is the groundbreaking of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre in Abuja. The new NEC and the entire ATCON members are poised to work with you and your ministry to make your tenure a highly remarkable one in the history of the Nigerian telecom and ICT sector.
‘‘The primary and strategic objective of our targeted programs is to compliment your concerted efforts in respect of making broadband pervasive and ubiquitous as well as to encourage state governments and private sector to aid the growth and development through their deliberate and strategic investment in technology and broadband in their respective states.
‘‘We remain committed to contributing our quota to the growth and development of the country and looking forward towards working closely with you.’’
He listed some of the ATCON’s goals and request for support for 2021/2022 as full implementation of the 2020-2025 NNBP; development of the strategic plan to bridge the over N15trillion infrastructure funding gap for the telecom/ICT industry; full implementation of the RoW policy and to address multiple taxations and other regulatory challenges.
The ATCON was formally inaugurated on December 10, 1993, as a professional, non-profit, non-political umbrella organization of telecommunications companies in Nigeria.
Responding, the minister said his ministry decided to reactivate the NIMC Act on NIN after many years of neglect because it remains key to our national planning, budget planning, security and social development and many more.
He insisted that the NIN remains mandatory and the primary means of the identity of our citizens and all legal residents and there’s no other identity that can define citizens more than that number, it is mandatory.
‘‘I’m excited at your presentation why the Association was established and your willingness to join hand with the federal government of Nigeria through the office of the minister in charge of communications, most importantly in the area of NIN which is a mandatory number based on NIMC Act of 2007 that has actively been neglected for years it is also the foundational ID for building a digital economy.
‘‘It is key to our national planning, budget planning, national planning, security and social development, and many more. But it was neglected to be a mandatory one. So, we’ve come up with so many policies trying to ensure our citizens obtain the number, it is important beyond SIM registration, it is important for whatever you do.
‘‘Because it is the primary identity of our citizens, there’s no identity that will define you are a citizen more than that number, it is mandatory. And it is mandatory for the transaction, as an opening bank account, like paying tax, voter registration, and many more.
‘‘If you look at section 27 it is clearly stated even to partake and enjoy government services without that number it is an offence, you must obtain before you engage the government in any business.
Section 29 of the act says that if you fail to do that and you do transactions you have committed a crime that will lead to imprisonment.
‘‘We will always ensure that citizens obtain it, the law only gives you 60 days to obtain from the time it was approved.
‘‘On achievement on RoW, as I earlier said, when there is any lack of compliance with our agreement through Nigerian Governor’s Forum under the chairmanship of the governor of Ekiti State when there is such let me know I will engage the Nigerian governor’s forum and National Economic Council, don’t compromise. If you compromise in one state there is a high probability you will compromise in another state, but if you resist it is better for us.
‘‘I don’t believe in one-man business, we are all stakeholders and we must work together for the success of the industry. I can’t do it alone and I can never deceive myself that I can do it alone. It is because of this I always urge stakeholders to let us work together to undo the best we can to take the sector to greater heights. Most probably it is the most important sector in the country; it could be the most important.
‘‘Our contribution to the GDP is always unprecedented; we are making a huge difference. Just ICT alone not to talk of the digital economy, if you add ICT sector plus digital services then definitely there is no doubt that no sector will contribute half of what we’ve been contributing to the GDP.
“But today, and some of them are neglected, not computed, some of them are added to financial services but they are supposed to be under digital economy so, that it will be digital economy plus ICT sector. We will try to ensure that it is corrected.’’
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Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
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11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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