NCC supports WAFICT, NiTDA to unveil key plans

Two key Federal Government agencies, namely the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) are gearing up for the West African Information and Communications Technology (WAFICT) Congress 2012.

Affirming this, the chief host of WAFICT and editor-in-chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang said that NCC has thrown its weight behind the congress for the sake of growing broadband adoption.

He also said that NITDA has concluded plans to unveil some of its key plans for the industry at the event.

According to Abang, with focus on issues around broadband penetration, accessibility and policies, the regulator has taken this event as an avenue to push forward its broadband plans and strategies for the country.

He quoted the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, as reiterating the Commission’s commitment to broadband, describing it as the next revolution to be witnessed by the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

“And with this partnership, the regulator is set to leverage on the Congress to harness divergent views of experts from across the West African region in driving broadband growth in Nigeria. This will also be an avenue for the Commission to unveil its strategic broadband plans and targets,” he said.

The Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, while confirming the partnership with IT & Telecom Digest for the WAFICT Congress 2012, described the event is suitable for the platform needed to spread the broadband gospel.

“For us at the NCC, broadband is our major focus going forward. And, the WAFICT Congress 2012 is most suitable in giving us the needed avenue to pass the very important message that we have regarding broadband to Nigerians and other experts that will be attending the event from other countries,” he asserted.

In a related development, NITDA said its set to unfold various key programmes at West African ICT Congress (WAFICT) 2012, scheduled to hold between May 8 and 10, at the ultra-modern New Eko Expo Hall, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The organizers alluded that NITDA has outlined programmes for implementation and these would be unveiled during WAFICT.

The organizers also disclosed that given the focus of WAFICT 2012 on broadband accessibility and penetration in the country, NITDA, would also be making key contributions to the path of growth for broadband in Nigeria.

Director-General, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, was quoted as describing the congress as both timely and apt in providing the right platform for the agency to share its ideas and policy direction with stakeholders in Nigeria.

“We are launching out at this congress for the first time. But NITDA believes this event will provide us the right atmosphere and platform to discuss the key programmes that we will be implementing with stakeholders for them to appreciate the direction and focus of our policies and implementation strategies,” Prof Angaye said.

He recalled that NITDA is the clearing house for Information Technology (IT) projects in the public sector in Nigeria, stressing that the agency is committed to the drive to bring government and its services closer to the people through IT.

Commending the two agencies for the collaboration, Mr. Abang said the NCC has by this partnership clearly shown that it is very desirous to bring the broadband message to Nigerians.

“But even more than that; the commission will be able to use the opportunity that WAFICT 2012 provides to articulate its broadband goals and objectives and share with the public, how it will implement a practicable policy that brings broadband to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria,” he said.

With the theme: ‘Bridging West Africa’s Digital Divide Through Broadband,’ the fourth WAFICT Congress holding May, would bring together telecom regulators and operators across the sub-region with top notch speakers, to chart the course for the industry’s growth.

“WAFICT 2012 is a grand platform to hear from Governments and Regulators in West Africa on their policies on broadband and strategies for deployment; from equipment manufacturers, mobile operators, telecom operators, Internet Service Providers, experts, and many more, from across the world, what potential exists in broadband and their offerings for the sub-region,” Abang declared.

Remmy Nweke

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