- FG Sets up Panel to Review Broadband Policy
The Federal Government has set up a committee to review the nation’s broadband policy and come up with a new one that will help to realise the yearnings of Nigerians for efficient broadband services.
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, disclosed this at a meeting of the Alliance for Affordable Internet in Abuja on Thursday.
Shittu, who was responding to a challenge by the National Coordinator of the Alliance for Affordable Internet, Mr Ernest Ndukwe, said broadband had played a critical role in promoting economic growth.
He stated, “The Federal Government recognises the urgent need to increase access to, usage of Internet, and broadband in Nigeria.
“As part of its over-reaching national development plan, Vision 20: 2020, which outlines the Federal Government’s aim to make Nigeria a top 20 global economy by 2020, ICTs have been given a central role.
“In order to rationalise the work towards achieving Vision 20:2020, the government of Nigeria has developed the new ICT strategic road map 2017 – 2020.
“There are ICT-related strategies in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the sector road map that require prioritisation by the ministry. Going forward, the ministry will pay adequate attention to them in order to focus on initiatives that will help to heighten the outcomes.”
Shittu said the government was determined to create policies and incentives, and to collaborate with coalitions such as the A4AI to ensure universal access to broadband and thereby contribute to a richer and diversified economy.
Ndukwe, a former executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, stated that it was not necessary for the government to wait till the existing broadband policy would expire before a new one was formulated.
“Nigeria is still a very attractive market. The A4AI is committed to working with the government to address the broadband challenges of the country,” he added.
The country’s current broadband policy, which is expected to expire by December, targets 30 per cent broadband penetration between 2013 and 2018.
