NITDA Wants Increase In Internet Penetration

The Director-General of National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye has said there is need to
increase internet penetration from 45 million users, due to the huge population
of the country.

Angaye, noted that the development in ICT has reached a
laudable point, adding that the government has much to do in order to promote
penetration by investing in social and other infrastructure for community
benefit.

The NITDA boss who spoke in an interview with newsmen in
Abuja recently, said the country was still lagging behind in terms of the
number of people who should be using the internet.

He pointed out that the case is obvious in the country’s
higher institutions where more young people who need the internet are yet to
enjoy it.

Angaye blamed such situation on the high cost of the
internet facilities, saying that in the areas where it is available, they have
to move far away.

According to him, the commission is collaborating with state
at the private sector on how to increase the Rural Information Technology
centres (RITC), where people can access the internet.

He explained that it will enable people to make use of
computers and other information technology (IT) facilities to enhance their
knowledge and awareness on latest technological trends.

The Tide gathered that NITDA has so far established 240
centres located in all states of the federation.

Most of them as we further learnt, and constituency
projects, promoted by some lawmakers in the name of constituency projects.

The agency, has also set up IT parks and science development
centres to provide ICT trainings, and promote software development.