It was a beehive of activities on Thursday as the Kaduna Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) built by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), alongside five Information Technology projects by other agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy were virtually commissioned by the Hon. Minister, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
The NCC’s ECC project, which makes it possible for people of Kaduna and environs to dial 112 Emergency Number to get help during emergencies from appropriate emergency response agencies, is aimed at supporting the Federal Government agenda of enhancing the security of lives and property in the country.
Recall that the NCC had built Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) in each of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, out of which 19 have been activated while efforts are ongoing to extend it to other states.
The Minister also commissioned the Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC) in Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo executed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the NCC.
Three other projects by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), IT Community Centre in Katsina and IT Hub each in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Main Campus, Kaduna and the University of Lagos, were also commissioned.
The sixth project commissioned was the opening of the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT)’s Northwest Regional Office in Kaduna.
At the virtual commissioning of the projects, which took place at the NCC’s Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora District, Abuja on Thursday, July 23, 2020, and attended by all heads of agencies under the ministry, Pantami said the projects were all connected to the country’s digital economy drive, as contained in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) unveiled by the President in November last year.
“These projects are connected to some of the pillars of the NDEPS, especially with respect to developmental regulation, digital literacy and skills, solid infrastructure, among others,” Pantami said.
He urged Nigerians, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the projects, to take advantage of the opportunities and added that he would continue to work with other ministries, departments and parastatals of government to ensure teething challenges facing ICT infrastructure deployment in the country are addressed in other to deepen digital economy.
Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the occasion; Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna and her counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola who were guests of honour at the event, commended the ministry and its agencies for expanding the footprint of the digital economy across the country.
In the meantime, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and other heads of agencies under the Ministry, have commended the Minister for promoting synergy among the agencies under his supervision.
Danbatta noted that “the projects will help in leading the country into a truly- digital economy.”
The EVC restated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a robust broadband infrastructure in the country, aimed at supporting the government’s initiatives towards accelerating the implementation of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.
