The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commended the Ondo State government for its commitment to the deployment of broadband infrastructure through the Odua Infraco and urged other state governments to follow the example and make the service available in their states.
The executive vice chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who received a delegation from the state government led by the chairman of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) Olumbe Akinkugbe, said the state had done well to come seek advice on taking a cue from the recent Broadband Technical Awareness Forum (BTAF) organised for state governors by the commission in Abuja recently.
Danbatta, who was represented by the commission’s director, legal and regulatory services, Josephine Amuwa commended the visitors for their timely pursuit of the programme and assured them of its commitment to achieving milestones in broadband infrastructure deployment in the state.
“We consider the meeting a watershed in our efforts at transforming Nigeria into a major digital hub in Africa, through transforming all the states of the Federation. We are particularly elated by the fact that your request for this engagement came on the heels of the Broadband Technical Awareness Forum (BTAF) organised by the commission, for which we received a very positive scorecard from you,” she said.
Amuwa listed the challenges impeding the progress of broadband infrastructure deployment including issues around right-of-way issues, indiscriminate charges and levies, hostilities by local communities, among others.
Consequently, the commission set up a committee – made up of itself, the state government and Odua InfraCo – to deliberate and harness mutual benefits and recommend the best ways to drive the actualisation of such mutual benefits to the nation, the state and citizens. The committee is to report to the State Executive Council through NCC’s EVC monthly.
A statement by the commission’s head of public affairs, Reuben Muoka said the collaboration particularly targets how to use information communication technology (ICT) to deliver more government services and simplify government operations.
