COVID-19: MoCDE beckons MDAs, civil servants to explore Internet Protocol-enabled platforms - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (MoCDE) has beckoned on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government (FG) to leverage the 1Gov Network for video conference and Internet Protocol (IP) enabled phone facilities to provide essential meetings whilst the scourge of CoronaVirus (Covid-19) outbreak lasts, reports ITREALMS.

In a press statement available to ITREALMS, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy (MoCDE), Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was quoted as noting that with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly recommended to exercise measures such as social distancing as a necessary precaution towards curbing the spread of the deadly and highly infectious virus.

"With the disease known to spread primarily through contact with infected persons, surfaces or environments, there is a need for civil servants and the workforce in the country to minimize physical and face-to-face meetings," he said.

The Minister also encouraged MDAs and civil servants to use the Federal Government's Unified Communication Services (UCS) platform available to provide reliable and secure audio and video communication within the 1Gov network.
ITREALMS recalls that MoCDE through its parastatal Galaxy Backbone has provided video conferencing, telepresence and video IP phone facilities in most MDAs within its Abuja metro Fiber network, to provide a smart means of communication and collaboration within the public sector.

Further, Pantami said that platforms are available to minimize the need for physical meetings while performing the day to day functions of government include:

· IP Voice and Video Telephony Services: About 16,000 units have been deployed to provide users secure free voice & video communications over Galaxy’s network using physical handsets and software-based endpoints; and

· Video Conferencing/ telepresence Services: About 120 terminals have been deployed to provide real-time video conferencing for users to meet and collaborate with colleagues and partners across various locations nationwide and internationally.

Pantami, therefore, called on all MDAs and public officers that have these services deployed to use them by hosting remote meetings and conferences which will help limit the spread of the virus.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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