Communications Ministry Generates N10.6bn from IT Projects, Creates Innovation Enterprises’ Pool

Communications Ministry Generates N10.6bn from IT Projects, Creates Innovation Enterprises’ Pool

The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has also developed an IT clearance portal to support inoperability, eliminate duplication and ensure value for money in the implementation of ICT projects in the country.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, disclosed this on Monday, at a press conference in Abuja, to commemorate the Digital Nigeria Day 2022.

According to Pantami, the quarterly savings from the IT Projects’ Clearance Process rose from N12.45 million to N10.57 billion, in the last three years.

He said: “Through our efforts, 355,610 direct and indirect jobs were created”.

The Minister, said a pool of Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy, will soon be launched.

“On assumption of office on the 21st of August 2019, the official broadband penetration figures stood at 33.72% and today it is 44.65%, representing close to 13 million new broadband users.

“Similarly, there were 13,823 4G base stations and we now have 36,751, representing a 165.86% increase. The percentage 4G coverage across the country also increased from 23% to 77.52%.

“Additionally, the cost of data has crashed from N1,200 per GB to about N350, making it easier for Nigerians to connect to the Internet,” he said.

Prof. Pantami, explained that privacy concerns are also being addressed through the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), adding that the drafting of the Data Protection Bill has reached an advanced stage.

His words: “On assumption of office on the 21st of August 2019, the official broadband penetration figures stood at 33.72% and today it is 44.65%, representing close to 13 million new broadband users.

“Similarly, there were 13,823 4G base stations and we now have 36,751, representing a 165.86% increase. The percentage 4G coverage across the country also increased from 23% to 77.52%.

“Additionally, the cost of data has crashed from N1,200 per GB to about N350, making it easier for Nigerians to connect to the Internet”.

In a remark, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, lauded Pantami for his sterling leadership and guidance, which he noted has kept the Heads of Agencies supervised by the Communications and Digital Economy Ministry, on their toes.

“Without your guidance, the achievements we are all celebrating today wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.

By PRNigeria