COVID-19: Pantami Urges MDAs to Utilize FG Unified Communication Services Platform for Meetings

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and risk of exposure through contact with infected persons, surfaces or environments, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has urged all MDAs and civil servants to use the Federal Government’s Unified Communication Services (UCS) platform to provide reliable and secure audio and video communication within the 1Gov network for meetings.

This is coming after the President, Muhammadu Buhari orders all civil servants from level 1 to 12 to work from home as a way to the deadly disease threatening to spread all over Nigeria.

The Communications Minister, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami also stressed there is a need for civil servants and the workforce in the country to minimize physical and face-to-face meetings.

As a result, the Minister has in a statement signed by his Spokesperson Uwa Suleiman recommended the use of video conferencing and video IP phones facilities for essential meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

ALSO READ: How Covid-19 will Deepen Nigeria’s Digital Inclusion

The Ministry of Communications and DigitalEconomy 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.

Platforms available to minimize the need for physical meetings while performing the day to day functions of government are:

• IP Voice and Video Telephony Services: About 16,000 unit 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.

Pamtami, therefore, calls 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.