*The Nigerian Communications Commission has said it will forge a partnership with the Bayelsa State Government in accelerating telecommunications infrastructure deployment, digital literacy and skills of the citizens in the state

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In keeping with its renowned tradition and belief in strategic partnership and collaboration, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Bayelsa State Government in accelerating telecommunications infrastructure deployment, digital literacy and skills in the State.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, reiterated this commitment during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Bayelsa State to the Management of NCC in Abuja recently.

听L-R: Tari Okorotie, Technical Assistant, ICT, Bayelsa State Government; Freda Bruce- Bennett, Deputy Director of Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Timipre Seipubu, Technical Adviser, Treasury Accounts & Revenue, Bayelsa State Government; Engr. Austin Nwaulune, Director of Digital Economy at NCC; Dr. Ekio Promise, Commissioner, Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Bayelsa State; Reuben Muoka, Head of Special Duties, NCC; and Engr. Abba Adamu, Deputy Director of Digital Economy at NCC听听 Photo: NCC

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated this Thursday in Abuja, FCT, noted Dr. Promise Ekio Ekio, Bayelsa State鈥檚 Commissioner for Communications, Science and Technology, who led the delegation to NCC, said Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is one of the critical areas the state government has identified for priority.

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Dr. Ekio stated that this is essential in accelerating the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Bayelsa State in order to bolster employment for the youths of the state, and nudge their interest in digital culture.

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Communications, Science and Technology also said while the plan to leverage ICT for socio-economic development of his state has been uppermost in the agenda of the state government, several engagements it has made with industry stakeholders are yet to receive concrete action due to lack of robust telecommunications services.

He further said: 鈥淭herefore, it is our fervent hope that this meeting will be the beginning of a partnership that will blossom in the areas of digital training and rapid ICT infrastructural development, for the benefit of the people of Bayelsa State and other Nigerians living in the state.

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鈥淲e want to assure the Commission of our preparedness to work closely with it to fulfill its mandate in the State as well as actualise the vision of Bayelsa State government to leverage ICT for accelerating development.鈥�

The NCC as well stated Ekio commended the telecoms sector regulator for the good works it is doing in fast-tracking implementation of the digital economy initiatives of the Federal Government by being upbeat in consolidating the gains of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria.

The Commissioner assured that Bayelsa State would also provide necessary incentives to accelerate ICT deployment in the state.

In his welcome address during the visit, Prof. Danbatta, represented by Dr. Augustine Nwaulune, Director of Digital Economy at NCC, also applauded the Bayelsa State Government for seeking collaboration with the Commission to stimulate economic growth through telecommunications services.

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The EVC/CEO assured that NCC is a ready and willing partner of Bayelsa State on telecoms and ICT.

While the Commission is willing to partner with state governments and other relevant institutions to ensure universal access and universal services, Danbatta said efforts shall be made, collaboratively, at ensuring that relevant infrastructure needed to delivering ubiquitous telecoms services to achieve socio-economic goal of Bayelsa State in this regard are prioritised.

Danbatta further emphasised the Commission鈥檚 recognition of the importance of infrastructure expansion in achieving Federal Government鈥檚 vision on digital economy. Citing the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 as one of the initiatives of the Federal Government instituted to boost infrastructure expansion, the NCC Chief stated that the implementation of the Plan is essentially driven by the Commission.

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The NCC will ensure that infrastructure gaps in the telecommunications sector are bridged to accomplish Government鈥檚 vision in the context of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-30, he assured.

Danbatta also explained that 听in order to accelerate Broadband infrastructure deployment in the South-South geo-political zone where Bayelsa State is situated, the NCC had licensed Messrs Raeaana Limited, as one of the seven licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), authorised to cascade fibre to deepen the penetration of broadband services in all nooks and crannies of the country.

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鈥淭he InfraCo licensees have been given timelines to work in their respective zones of deployment to cascade fibre infrastructure to the rural communities, covering the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance robust telecom service provisioning in the country鈥�, the EVC/CEO stated.

Meanwhile, Danbatta has urged the Bayelsa State Government to revisit its Right of Way (RoW) charges and other issues capable of encumbering faster deployment of infrastructure in the state.

He noted: 鈥淭his will boost digital infrastructure rollout in towns and communities in Bayelsa State and environs for effective economic diversification.

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鈥淭he digital economy rides on broadband and ICT infrastructure and one of the factors inhibiting access to telecommunication infrastructure is RoW administration by States and other state actors.鈥�

Danbatta also emphasised the importance of comprehensive training for the youth in Bayelsa State and equipping them with ICT tools to enable them to thrive in a digital economy.

The NCC EVC/CEO added: 鈥淥n this, the NCC will collaborate with Bayelsa to provide training for the youth as long as the State Government provide necessary tools required to achieve objective outcomes of such capacity-building initiatives.鈥�

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