NCC Gets Six-Month Deadline To Provide Solutions In ICT

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, has  issued a   six month deadline to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to come up with innovative solutions in Information Communications Technology (ICT).
Pantami gave the deadline at a maiden Telecommunications Based Research and Prototype Exposition in Abuja on Monday.
The Tide reports that ten out of the prototypes, fully developed and ready for phase of market entry, were presented and exhibited.
At the programme, with the theme, “The Drive Towards Commercialisation of Telecoms Research for Sustainable Development in the Industry”, Pantami urged stakeholders to continuously refine the roles of players in the nations National System of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.
He said this would guarantee objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.
“I do hope that the next event will not be about the prototype but adopting the solution. I  will give NCC only six months from today for not only prototyping, but providing solution and making it a national policy that this is what we have produced”, he said.
According to him, there are both brains and capacity to move the country forward, noting that support for each other was key.
“We must continue to refine the roles of players in the nation’s National system of Innovation by creating new models and incentives.This will guarantee we achieve the objectives of the National Policy for the promotion of indigenous content in the Nigeria Telecommunications sector,” he said.
He also called on tertiary institutions that benefited from research grants to deeply consider commercialisation of research prototypes.
“I must reiterate that successful commercialisation of these prototypes will require requisite managerial and industrial competences as well as adequate funding.
“It is, therefore, necessary for tertiary institutions that benefit from research grants to deeply consider the commercialisation of the research outcomes (prototypes).This means that collaborations and partnerships are necessary for commercialisation,” he  said.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, explained that the exposition is aimed at providing the necessary opportunity for the academic awardees of the Commission’s Telecoms-based research projects.
The NCC boss also  noted the importance of having a commercialisation strategy to transit from rudimentary research into the market in order to address the local challenges and reduce over dependence on imported innovations and technologies.
“This is to encourage the commercialisation of these locally-developed telecommunications innovations as a way of fostering and deepening the indigenous technological capabilities of Nigerians.It is to support the overall growth of the industry and creating wealth for the spin-off companies”, he said.
In his contribution, the Regional Manager, Bank of Industry Ltd, Dr Kings Jack, pledged the Bank’s support and called on government and other stakeholders to increase investment in the telecommunications research and development as well as market for investment.
One of the lead researchers from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Sahalu Junaidu, developed an e-band tracker and monitoring system specifically for pilgrims.
Junaidu said the e-band was to ease the identification of people and would also help the authorities in the management of persons on pilgrimage.
He, however, said the project would be made generic so that it would cut across different areas.