NCC’s 8-Point Agenda will Prepare Telecoms Industry for Uncertainties, Tech Disruptions – Danbatta

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the driving force behind the 8-point agenda is to prepare the industry for the uncertainties and the disruptions caused by evolving technologies.

The Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. U mar Danbatta made this assertion at the virtual 2020 Nigeria Innovation Week themed “Innovating in Critical Times” held yesterday.

In his keynote address, Danbatta who was ably represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde noted that the 8-Point Agenda will ensure that the sector continues to play its veritable role as the enabler of the nation’s economic growth.

Recall, Business Remarks reported that Danbatta who was reappointed reeled out NCC’s regulatory priority areas for five years; the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) which provides a roadmap and focused on an 8-Point Agenda that responds to the policy goals of the Commission.

He based the achievements so far on the diligent implementation of the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2015 -2020.

Danbatta, who considered the theme very relevant stated, this in view of the numerous challenges that the pandemic has thrown at national Governments, the ICT community and the health sector in particular.

“The COVID-19 Global pandemic ripped through world economies like a wild bush fire, incapacitating local businesses, upsetting the workforce and rendering governments numb in the face of the outbreak.”

Speaking on this, the EVC said “It is a well-known fact that nations that plan to succeed must have well-articulated policies in place to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, however, the COVID-19 Pandemic has exposed the frailties of even the most advanced nations.

“The Commission, in continuing with its long-standing tradition of being a proactive regulatory approach, introduced policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the provision of efficient, available, affordable and easily accessible communications services throughout Nigeria.”

Danbatta also noted that the Commission is driven by the vision to build a telecommunications market defined by universal access to affordable and equitable service.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Attains 82.7 Million Broadband Subscriptions in August – Danbatta

According to him, the Strategic Vision Plan (8-point agenda) focused primarily on; Facilitating broadband penetration, improving quality usage and benefits of spectrum usage and benefits of the spectrum, promoting ICT innovation and investment opportunities, facilitating strategic collaboration and partnerships, protecting and empowering consumers, promoting fair competition and inclusive growth while ensuring regulatory excellence and operational efficiency.

Furthermore, Danbatta disclosed that the proactive step taken by the Commission was the partnership with necessary stakeholders across the three tiers of government to collectively address challenges such as vandalism, multiple taxation & regulation, high cost of Right of Way (RoW), among others, which have been impeding speedy infrastructure deployment across the country.

“For innovation to thrive as the anchor for accelerating economic growth post-COVID-19, a robust broadband infrastructure upon which ICT innovations will ride, is a necessity and an urgent one at that.”

Furthermore, he addressed the disruptions caused by the Covid19 pandemic to the global economy. According to him, it is noteworthy to emphasize the important role ICT has played since this outbreak.

“Many of us have been forced to work from home; government services have moved to online portals; our kids now attend virtual classes; lectures and conferences are now virtual; e-commerce has seen a significant uptick and boom globally; online payment for goods and services have now increased threefold; logistics and delivery businesses have seen a huge surge in demand for their services.

Stressing the fact that the above services require fast broadband and reliable means of connectivity, Danbatta pledged NCC has continued to work assiduously with Stakeholders in ensuring that the nation’s ICT infrastructure is able to meet the increased demand for connectivity.