TECHDIGEST – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, has welcomed the president of Cote D’Ivoire, Alassane Quattara to the 60th extraordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority Heads of State, holding in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Prof Pantami said that President Buhari and all Nigerians wish Quattara a most successful session.
This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson to the Minister, Mrs Uwa Suleiman, on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement said Nigeria remained highly honoured to host the heads of government in the sub region, adding that the Minister would chaperone the Ivorien President with diligence and utmost sense of duty during the epoch-making session of ECOWAS, on behalf of the Federal Government as assigned by the President.

“In the same vein, the Honourable Minister on behalf of the President and the entire people of Nigeria, extends our sincere congratulations to the President and people of CoteD’Ivoire on the historic building of its new Chancellery in Nigeria’s capital. This will in no small measure, strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries and the sub- region at large.

“In discharging this national assignment as His Excellency’s official chaperone, Prof. Pantami will be supported by the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, and accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy Bitrus Bako Nabasu, and the  Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.’’, the statement concluded.

The post Pantami Welcomes President Quattara to ECOWAS Heads of State Meeting in Abuja appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Following the statement by Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim​​ Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, revealing the Federal Government’s position on the deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that the Commission is ready for the implementation of the government’s decision.

The EVC also lauded the thriving healthy competition in the telecommunications industry, which he said has driven down the prices of data in the country.

Fielding questions from Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, the newly posted permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, during a presentation today in Abuja the NCC boss observed that the Commission as a Federal agency has always aligned its position and plan with the Federal Government.

“On the 5G, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has spoken about the Federal Government’s position to deploy as soon as possible. Our state of readiness is very high. There’s an auction committee for 5G with a deployment plan ready. As you know, without a plan you cannot have a successful deployment.”

“All we are asking is additional spectrum to be allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC). Of course some of these spectrums are ready but we have to get the Federal Government’s approval to go ahead with the auctions,” he explained.

The EVC’s presentation touched on the enabling laws and mandates of the Commission, its structure as well his scorecards among others.

Intimating the new Permanent Secretary on the forthcoming book launch of the Commission scheduled to take place next month, the EVC noted that the book, which is technical in nature, will provide more insight into the workings of NCC under his watch.

“I have spoken about the first Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), comprising 8 agenda items. The SVP has come to the end and we have written a book providing documented progress we have made while implementing it. I am pleased to inform you that the book will be unveiled on 7th September, 2021,” he disclosed.

While commending Dr. Pantami for his efforts toward resolving some of the perennial challenges in the industry especially the Right of Way (RoW) charges, Danbatta urged governments at every level in Nigeria to respect the resolution of the National Economic Council on the harmonized RoW charges, to enable the industry to continue to grow and prosper.

“The Commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandate, especially in facilitating the deployment of broadband infrastructure, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and national development.”

“It’s our belief also that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leap and retain its current flagship role in the telecommunication space,” Danbatta pointed out.

The post NCC ready to implement Govt’s decision on 5G deployment – Danbatta appeared first on Tech Digest News.