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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lauded the Ondo State Government for its commitment to the deployment of broadband infrastructure through Odua Infraco.
A statement issued by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Thursday, urged other states to follow suit by making the service available to their citizens.
A delegation from Ondo State, led by the Chairman of the state’s Information Technology Agency, SITA, Olumbe Akinkugbe, had visited the commission to seek advice on the best ways to enjoy seamless deployment of broadband in the state, taking a cue from the recent Broadband Technical Awareness Forum (BTAF) organised for state governors in Abuja by the commission.
The Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of the commission, Josephine Amuwa, who received the delegation on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, commended the visitors for their timely pursuit of the programme and assured them of maximum support to achieve 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 to include Right-of-Way issues; indiscriminate charges and levies; hostilities by local communities; among others.
Consequently, a tripartite committee to discuss the Ondo State Government’s plan with Odua Infraco, and the commission was set up, to deliberate and harness mutual benefits; and to 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 Ondo State Executive Council through NCC’s EVC on monthly basis.
The collaboration particularly targets how to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to deliver more government services and simplify government operations.