Danbatta To House of Reps Committee: N700Bn Needed To Bridge Telecom Services Access Gap

Danbatta stated that the N700 billion would be used to provide basic telecommunication infrastructure, including optic fibre cables and base stations, in order to increase connectivity nationwide. He added that the commission had already taken steps to address the issue by creating a fund to support infrastructure development in rural areas and promoting infrastructure sharing among telecoms operators.

The House of Representatives Committee had earlier expressed concern over the lack of telecommunication services in certain parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where access to mobile networks was limited or non-existent. The committee had summoned the NCC to explain the commission’s role in addressing the issue.

Danbatta assured the committee that the NCC was committed to ensuring universal access to telecommunication services in the country and was working with stakeholders to achieve this goal. He also urged the committee to support the commission’s efforts by providing the necessary legislative and policy support to boost the sector.

Danbatta disclosed that as of 2013, there were 207 clusters of access gaps that affected 37 million people in Nigeria, adding that progress has been made in reducing the clusters in rural, un-served, and under-served areas nationwide.

The EVC, however, hinted that the number of Nigerians in the clusters had reduced from 37 million to 31 million in 2019.

The telecoms industry regulator, told the committee that the NCC’s estimation of N700 billion to bridge the gap in access to telecommunication services was a call to action for the government, private sector, and development partners to work together to mobilize resources and deploy innovative solutions that can expand access to quality telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.

This is even as he charged the Federal Government to also create an enabling environment for this plan to thrive so that it can attract private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure development in rural and under-served areas.

He clarified: “Private sector players and development partners can also play a critical role in expanding access to telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas. This can be achieved through partnerships with the government, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to deploy innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of providing telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.

“Development partners on the other hand can support the government and private sector in mobilizing resources, technical assistance, and capacity building to address the digital divide in the country.

“This can be done through the provision of grants, concessional loans, and technical assistance to support the deployment of innovative solutions that can expand access to telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.

“To achieve success in the telecommunication Space, there must be synergy between and among the stakeholders of the sector”, Danbatta stressed.

By Kure Tashilane

Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule has constituted and inaugurated his second term transition high power inauguration committee that would fast track processes that would culminate to a successful transition May 29th 2023 in the state.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall in Lafia 14th April, 2023 with a charge on the transition committee members to plan and execute a befitting swearing in and inauguration ceremony in the state come May 29th 2023.

Engineer Sule urged members of the high powered committee to exemplify due diligence while appraising the achievements of his administration in the last four years as he promised to sustain transparency, accountability and prudence in the management of resources.

” It would be recalled that following the successful and peaceful conduct of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections that were held on Saturday, 18th March, 2023 which saw the landslide victory of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the return of our administration for the second term. It has become imperative to commence the process for the smooth transition for another four (4) years ” The Governor recounted.

He assured the people of Nasarawa State that he will begin his second term with a renewed commitment to further consolidate on his previous developmental initiatives and as well open new frontiers of development across the state.

The Governor noted that the desire to do better in the next 4 years informed the constitution of a high-powered committee for his inauguration to set the stage for a smooth transition which will eventually herald sustainable peace and progress of the state.

Engineer Sule equally inaugurated the State and Local Government 2023 National Census Publicity Committe in order to conduct this time around a population census that would reflect the exact population figure of the people of Nasarawa state.

The Governor explained that, unlike the census conducted in 2006 which puts the population of Nasarawa State at 1,863,275 who’s complain was long and bitter – eventually contested at Census Tribunal for necessary redress but nothing was done.

” Furthermore, the UNFPA survey admits this fact too when it indicated in its previous reports that Karu and Mararaba area within the boundaries of the FCT alone has the highest population growth rate in the world at forty (40) percent ” The Governor pointed out.

He charged National Population Commission ad-hoc staff to make this year’s census credible making sure Nasarawa population head count reflects the actual population of the state.

The Governor stressed that, it is for these reasons that government constituted a standing committee which has continued to monitor the activities of National Population Commission to ensure wide coverage during the 2023 Population and Housing Census exercise in the state.

He equally pointed out that the 2023 census expected to produce new set of demographic and social economic data that will provide basis for national planning and sustainable development going forward.

The Governor also inaugurated members of the Governing Board of the Nasarawa State Vehicle Administration and Traffic Management Agency.

This development according to him is coming sequel to the establishment and commissioning of the first Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre in Lafia which is aimed at enhancing the preservation of the sanctity of human lives by ensuring that all vehicles plying highways are roadworthy and safe for transportation of passengers, goods and services at all times.

He noted further that the computerized vehicle inspection agency will reduce the rate of road accidents by ensuring the safety of vehicular movement, enhance employment opportunities and wealth creation.

He observed that it was in line With his administration’s commitment to ensure effective traffic management that he approved the constitution of the governing board of the agency.

The Board is expected to offer technical advice on traffic management techniques, vehicle administration and identifying areas of expertise in order to address specific challenges as well as ensure training and retraining of its employees.

The board according to the Governor is also expected to recommend programmes on annual work plan, review progress of the agency and ensure the execution of other functions as may be deemed necessary, from time to time to achieve the objectives of the agency.

Engineer Sule equally inaugurated the newly reconstituted members of Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board whose members were largely reappointed with just one new member to spearhead the activities of the board during the event.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State Barr. Aliyu Mohammed Ubandoma explained that the overwhelming re-election of Engineer Abdullahi Sule in the March 18th governorship election necessitated the constitution and inauguration of the high powered transition committee in order to usher in the new dispensation come May 29th, 2023.

In his vote of thanks, His Excellency former deputy governor Silas Ali Agara assured the people of Nasarawa State that the National Population Commission would do everything possible to hand Nasarawa State it’s accurate population figure this time around.

He appreciated Engineer Abdullahi Sule for the support given to NPC through out the area demarcation exercises and trial census conducted earlier in the state; urge the ad-hoc staff engaged to ensure the process is credible.