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Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to begin the immediate implementation of the approved National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) technology deployment in Nigeria.
The policy was approved last Wednesday by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the country’s highest decision-making body.
Pantami spoke recently in Abuja when the management of the NCC led by its Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, paid him a courtesy visit.
“The next big task ahead of the Commission is to begin immediate implementation to push forward the country’s march to increase digital transformation of the economy,” said Pantami as he also commended the NCC on the launch of its Strategic Vision (Implementation) Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, the ‘NCC Global Connect’ podcast and compendium of EVC speeches and presentations.
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The minister described the SVP as a veritable vehicle to give the needed impetus to the implementation of the 5G plan.
His words” “The NCC needs to ensure total implementation of the SVP. We should try to have timelines and ensure to deliver on them. Developing the Vision Plan is commendable but ensuring diligent implementation is even more important. So, the EVC should commit to total implementation of the SVP.”
According to him, the podcast as a digital communication channel is “important because we need more sensitisation. We need to reach out to citizens and create awareness about our regulatory activities, change certain perceptions and counter some conspiracy theories against technologies and many more. The podcast is one of the best ways we would be able to achieve this.”
Speaking earlier, Danbatta said the purpose of the visit was to “appreciate the minister for his immense support and active role during the recent launch of three projects by the commission; and to commend him for the important role he played in securing the final approval of the 5G national plan by the federal government.”
While describing the federal government’s approval of 5G national plan as “a development of unprecedented and profound historical significance to the commission, telecom industry and other economic sectors,” Danbatta assured of NCC’s determination to diligently implement the 5G plan for the overall socio-economic benefits of Nigeria.
He was accompanied on the courtesy visit by senior management staff of the ccommission. They include the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu; Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Josephine Amuwa; Director, Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Felix Adeoye; Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Director, Human Capital and Administration, Usman Malah.
