President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja unveiled the National Broadband Plan 2020–2025 and commissioned the Communications and Digital Economy Complex.
He also flagged off of the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training and launched of the Abuja Emergency Communication Centre and the National Emergency Toll-Free Number 112.
In his remarks during the Commissioning, President Buhari commended the Ministry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Presidential Committee and all stakeholders who participated in the development of the National Broadband Plan.
"I also thank the Ministry for the high level of synergy amongst the parastatals under its supervision, Buhari said.
He also emphasized that Mobile network operators need to ensure full attainment of the targets set in the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 by giving special attention to un-served and underserved areas while deploying their services.
"NCC’s Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) will go a long way in supporting our efforts to improve the security of lives and property
"I also thank the Ministry for the high level of synergy amongst the parastatals under its supervision, Buhari said.
In his remark, The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantrami said tyat Broadband penetration is key to reviving the Nigerian economy. Ten per cent broadband penetration in any country will improve its GDP by at least 4.6 per cent.
With coronavirus spreading across the globe and more people living in isolation, Pantami said the digital and information communication sector is providing alternatives for people to stay in touch and institutions to provide the needed basic life-saving services.
In his opening remark, the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said, the launch of these projects is a reflection of the growth and development in the ICT sector which commenced with the National Telecom Policy and the full liberalization of the telecommunications industry.
Prof. Danbatta said, "the NCC has also facilitated the establishment of the Emergency Communications Centres across the Country. The establishment of the ECCs is in line with the Commission’s mandate under section 107 of NCA 2003, to promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number designed as the universal safety and emergency assistance number for telephone services generally; and encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment throughout Nigeria of seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency communication needs.
It is in line with this mandate that the Board of the NCC, in 2006, with the endorsement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), commenced the establishment of an Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) in each of the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Consequently, the NCC allocated the Toll-Free 3-digit number ‘112’ as the Universal Emergency Communications telephone number in Nigeria.
Through this dedicated number, members of the public can conveniently access help when in distress by simply dialling 112 from any of the networks at no cost. This toll-free number can help distressed persons access help from the Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire and Ambulance Services, National Emergency Management Agency.
"Today as Mr. President launches the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, it is important to mention that at the time this government came into power in 2015, broadband penetration was only 6%. Today it stands at 38.49%. We are expectant that with Government support, this will increase rapidly within the coming years. Permit me to underscore the importance of broadband penetration in economic development, as this is the main medium through which ICTs can be networked to create jobs and provide efficiency to support government and businesses.
It is the platform on which all ICTs will operate and is key to the efficiency of the Emergency Communication Centres and the development of digital innovation. The statistics of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) also indicate that for every 10% increase in broadband, there is a corresponding GDP growth of 1.3%.
"The telecommunications industry has also continued to make internationally recognized strides in development and growth, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy and the social transformation of Nigerians. We are pleased to state that the Telecommunications and Information Services contributed 9.2% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria in Quarter 3, 2019 with Information and Communications making a total contribution of 11.34%.
The statistics also show an increase in teledensity, active voice subscription, active internet subscription and usage. These statistics indicate an uptake in communications services by Nigerians.
In his own remark, the Director General of NITDA,Kashifu Inuwa said, "the National emergency centre was centralised and executed to become a response centre for the nation and we are also working on bringing the NCDC on board so that you can easily contact them in emergency situations.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex Abuja and had in attendance, top government functionaries, key players in the ICT industry, tech entrepreneurs, tech evangelist, among others.
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