..Solicits support of IFOTECH reporters
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, has promised to unveil a strategic plan for the telecommunication sector at the end of January 2024.
Maida spoke on Thursday in Abuja when he had an audience with the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters Association
“He said, At the end of January we will be releasing our strategic Plan for the NCC and by and large for the industry in line with the RHA.”
He also solicited for the support of the media in enlightening the public on the complication nature of the process and the role they need to play in achieving the set target on broadband penetration and quality of service deliverys, especially as it concerns Right of Way and protection of telecoms infrastructure.
“There are also areas we have started work. We need your support to help to enlighten the people to know what we are doing and talking about.
The number of broadband penetration target set by the minister to achieve is very clear but what people do not realize in this is that this is a complicated, interrelated system of components that have to come together in harmony for us to move forward.
Responding to NITRA visit, the EVC expressed appreciation to the association for it’s continuous support and contributions towards the growth the and development of the sector over the years and promised to build on the achievements of his predecessors.
“I want to appreciate your contributions over the years, it is not something we can take for granted.
“I could sense that relationship is deep and I can rest assure you that I will take the approach of building on the achievement of previous administrations.
“As a researcher, I believe that you have to prove that what you are doing, nobody else had done it. Don’t waste time doing what people had done but build upon what others had done in the past. That is the direction and strategy we are taking.”
On the request for training made by the association, Maida promised to look into them, saying, “We shall look at your demands and see what we can do, particularly on training. I think, in telling our story, the person that can best tell the story will tell it from the position of knowledge and not ignorance. I think, people telling our story should not be ignorant.
“We appreciate the role you play, technology, though pervasive even in our lives today, it is still a specialized area, you can simplify it but we should not take it for granted that there are a lot of complexity towards it.”
“I think, how we tell that story is very important and also it is going to require a bit of patience for people to trust us. We need to tell stories that give people hope so that we can get that space to implement but it is not going to be easy job.”
On the issue of the RoW, the EVC charged the media to change the narrative by moving away from immediate to potential gains.
“My own Governor gave me Right of Way free of charge to kick start my job . Some states do not see the big picture, that there are more values when you charge less compared to when you charge much. But we need to get people to understand the potential values attached.
“We need to change the narrative about the RoW, moving away from saying is about the charge to opening up and allowing infrastructure to be there and see what can happen, like in Edo, Kaduna etc. These are stories we need you to tell the people.”
“Again, vandalism and disruptions are another area of concern because they are avoidable. The stakeholders understand this and we know people responsible might not be intentional because they do not see the larger picture of shutting down a base station. Those are the kind of stories I will like NITRA to bring up,” he said.
On request for quarterly meeting with him, the NCC boss gave his commitment that he would be holding meeting with media at least twice a year.
Earlier in his address, the
NITRA President, Blessing Olaifa
congratulated the EVC for his appointment by the President and subsequent confirmation by the Senate.
He also commended the Commission for all it’s achievements in the area of increase in active mobile subscription, teledensity, broadband penetration and contribution to GDP.
He however, urged the EVC to consider training of journalists as a priority to the mutual growth of the industry and the media practitioners.
“It has been a long journey that we have been partnering with the Commission, our membership are drawn from a sectors of the media.
“We felt that we cannot sit back and watch. Our relationship with NCC has been very cordial and our partnership has been mutually beneficial. Like Oliver Twist, we need to ask more.
However, with your appointment, we have the confidence that you have the capacity and competence to drive this institution to greater height.
“We appreciate the performances of the former EVC, who took broadband penetration from 19% to over 40%, telecom mobile subscription was about 150m and left it at about 202m. internet penetration moved from 80m to over 150m.
“These are great achievements. In terms of contribution to GDP growth, the telecoms and ICT in general played leading role in the last three years. And we have played our role over theses years.
“We believe you will build on what Danbatta achieved not just in telecom but in the media. We believe you can partner with us in a mutually beneficial way.”
The meeting was attended by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Muoka, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Engagement, Adeleke Adewolu and the Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, Ubale Maska among other members of the management team.
