NAN-H-69
ICT
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, Feb 17, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Telecommunications Professionals of Nigeria (ATPN) Group has called for the creation of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) agencies across the 36 states and the FCT.
Mr Adede Williams, National President of ATPN made the call in a statement issued by Williams on Friday in Abuja.
Williams also stated that ICT Units should be created in all the 774 local government areas in the country.
According to him, ICT has become an integral and accepted part of everyday life for many people in the world.
“It is important for state governments across the country to establish ICT agencies with good.
“This will help the progress of their development goals in the plan to drive ICT policy from the federal to state and local government levels.
“Since we already have the National ICT policy, which the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is implementing in the country.
“I urge the 36 state governors, including the FCT to establish an agency that will coordinate and manage ICT activities at the states and local government levels, so as to enhance growth of the sector.’’
According to the ATPN president, ICT has huge potential in providing quality of services in areas such as education, health, commerce and public administration.
He said that if the agencies were established, they would be vital in protecting the interest of stakeholders such as consumers, providers as well as the government.
According to him, they are increasingly embracing services like e-learning, Tele-medicine, Tele-health, e-services and e-commerce etc.
Williams said that the lack of a state ICT coordinating agency constitutes one of the biggest challenges in developing the sector in the country.
“As we are prepared to move our broadcasting from analogue to digital, we really need that agency in all states of the federation.
“The formation of an ICT agency at the state level was necessary to guide the government in the transitional stage of creating a database through which the proposed agency would perform its monitoring role.
“The establishment of ICT agency in all 36 states of the federation, as well as having ICT units in all the 774 local government areas in the country is imperative if there must be meaningful development in the country.’’
He commended the Ministry of Communications for re-constituting the National Council of Communications Technology.
Williams also commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for envisaging the exploration of ICT potential among the youth.
“We must understand that professionally, it is imperative for all state governments to infuse ICT into their processes.’’
Williams also urged all the state governors to introduce the study of ICT in primary schools, equipped with ICT facilities that would give the pupils technological knowledge about ICT education.
“If done, it is expected to bridge the digital divide across the country no matter the locality.’’
He added that ATPN would not stop asking for government intervention until ICT for all was fully achieved as a potent measure to accelerate the ICT drive of the Federal Government policy.
“This will stimulate innovation and stir-up the digital awareness initiative. (NAN)
COA/KOLE/EEE
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ese E. Ekama