THE Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has said the Federal Government would address some of the challenges confronting the telecoms industry in order to grow the ICT sector.
The challenges include vandalism, site closure and difficulties in access to sites due to security challenges, over taxation by states among others.
Pantami said the Ministry had made presentations on the issues regarding the industry to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to the Chief Security Adviser of the country, as well as the Attorney General of the Federation, a week ago.
“I had the privilege of receiving most of the stakeholders on a courtesy visit, I listened to the challenges facing the industry and I gave them my commitment to use the chance I have to make a difference.
“Last week one of the issues we are have been receiving regards the industry was presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which was chaired by the President. The issues were presented to this body since it’s the most relevant platform, and actions are being taken to resolve the issues.
“I have been in touch with the Attorney General of the Federation, and even today he sent me a reply; seeking for more clarification on the executive order,” Pantami said.
Speaking with during a special dinner organized by Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Pantami said: “the ministry will set up a committee headed by Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and other agencies under the ministry to document and provide solutions to the challenges in the sector.”
Dr Pantami noted that “the responsibility of taking the sector to greater heights was not in the left in the hands of just one person but a collective responsibility of everyone, which accommodates both private and public sectors.”
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While thanking the association for its kind gesture, the Minister encouraged the association to put hands on deck, work together and always be in touch so that the industry would go higher, assuring them of his doors policy. which allows for advice, recommendations, suggestions and constructive criticism.
“Most of your challenges are known to me and I will take it upon myself to ensure that after every 24 hours we would make progress in resolving the issues am more of a reserved oriented person. We should keep in touch where necessary so that we would know the challenges by drawing our attention to issues that are very important. We should engage in constructive criticism, we are public officers and we welcome constructive criticism.”
In his remarks, Mr Olusola Teniola, President, ATCON said, they would work with the ministry in order to create an industry that would attract huge investments where innovation creates an eco-system where smaller and larger operators can co-exist.
Mr Teniola disclosed that ATCON will soon organise a National Dialogue on Telecom and ICT in Nigeria, with the aim to foster the implementation of Digital Economy in Nigeria saying that the information on this proposed event would be shared with all concerned later.
He commended the Minister for the recently launched documents on National Digital Economy Policy Strategy.
Teniola assured that the association would continue to advocate in a manner that was professional, mature and objective, which not only protect but promote the business of its teeming members in Nigeria.
“The association would collaborate, corporate and partner with the ministry to realise the set broadband target of 75 per cent in the documents within the next 5 years.
He noted that it would help the association remove, collectively those obstacles that were working against the growth of the industry.” He added.
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