Buhari seeks comprehensive report on NITEL sale

ITRealms:

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology (CommTech) to submit to his office a comprehensive report on the sale of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm, MTel, reports ITRealms.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media & Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu confirmed to to ITRealms, saying President Buhari gave this directive Tuesday while giving audience to the leadership of the Ministry, Departments and Agencies under CommTech,led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, President Buhari gave this charge, saying that the continued protests of former NITEL employees and other Nigerians over the manner in which assets of the company were sold have become a call for concern.

He also expressed optimism on potential of increasing revenue-generation potential of Nigeria's information and communication technology sector.

Equally, Buhari directed the Ministry to bring forward for his consideration and approval, all pending proposals for the development of the country's ICT sector which require the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

"Where you don’t need EXCO approval and you are not in breach of the law and will not lose money, you can go ahead. Now that oil costs less and we are contending with its theft, we have to move to areas where we can realize revenue quickly,” Mr. President said.

He welcomed plans by the Ministry to use post-offices across the country for financial inclusion, especially in the rural communities, stressed that he was happy to hear that “we are recovering the post offices from rats and rodents.”

The Ministry’s presentation to the President dwelled heavily on the potential of the ICT sector which, Dr. Olaopa said, contributes 10 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but could grow to 20 per cent if some proposals by the Ministry are approved and implemented.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA
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Pix: R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari Permanent Secretary Communication Technology, Dr Tunji Olaopa, Post Master General, Alhaji Mori Baba, Director General/CEO National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Peter Jack, Director Policy Research and Statistics, Mrs. Nima Salman Manni, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, Managing Director Galaxy Backbone, Yusuf Kazaure, Managing Director NigComSat, Abimbola Alale, Director ICT Ministry of Communication Technology, Mrs Moni Udoh during a briefing session with the President on it’s activities at the State House in Abuja.