Day 3: Anambra Solution innovation Week, Need To Embrace Technology In Protecting Lives, Property Stressed
As the Solution innovation Week progresses to the third day, the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC has disclosed that it recorded 366 incidents disrupting network services in Anambra alone, between January and October 2024.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, made this known while delivering a lecture on ‘Catalyzing Innovation: Transforming Nigeria’s Technology Landscape’ at the Day Three of the Anambra Innovation Week, AIW, held at the International Conference Centre in Awka, Anambra State Capital.
According to the NCC Statistics, out of the 366 incidents, 130 were due to theft and vandalism, while 236 involved operators being denied access to tower sites.
Dr Maida, represented by the Assistant Director in the NCC, Mrs Onuogu, noted with dismay, that each of the incidents could disrupt services and also lead to loss of lives.
“Imagine an individual unable to call for an ambulance or a community is cut off during a crisis simply because a critical telecom site was vandalized or access for maintenance was denied.
“This is a shared responsibility and the successful implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII in the nation, demands cooperation in every level of government”.
The NCC Chairman recalled that President Tinubu recently signed a landmark presidential order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII.
This, he pointed out, highlights the vital role telecoms assets, bay stations, data centers and fiber optics networks play as the backbone of the nation’s digital economy.
Dr Maida further posited that protecting those assets is not just about protecting technology but about protecting lives.
“Telecom infrastructure is the invisible lifeline that connects millions of Nigerians, enabling them to communicate, access essential services, and even call for help in emergencies.
“I strongly appeal to every state government and indeed Anambra State, to support this initiative. By doing so, we can drastically reduce the risk posed by vandalism and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
“Let us stand together in protecting our telecoms infrastructure, not just as a foundation for our digital economy, but as a safeguard for the lives and wellbeing of every Nigerian,” he said.
Maida acknowledged and commended the decision of Anambra State Government to waive right-of-way charges for telecom companies, noting that it will effectively lower the barriers to broadband infrastructure deployment.
He said Anambra State by the decision, has become a model for other states and has the potential to evolve into Nigeria’s own thriving tech hub if it continues to support and invest in forward-thinking ICT initiatives.
He also urged the state government to champion the cause of investing in ICT among members of the Nigerian Governors Forum
Maida expressed his Commission’s committed towards driving a transformative agenda and catalyzing innovation that will shape Nigeria’s technology landscape.
He informed that their work is focused on expanding digital infrastructure, empowering local talents and supporting businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
“The NCC is implementing the Nigeria Broadband plan which aims to extend broadband and its services to all nooks and crannies of the state, fast affordable network services,” Maida concluded.
In his presentation, the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, said that Governor Soludo is working twenty-four hours in a day to better the lives of over eight million Ndi Anambra.
Mr Ezeajughi observed that Anambra has transformed a lot since the present administration came on board, adding that a lot is being put in place by the state government to make Anambra number one in digital tech to make things a lot easier for the citizenry.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises MSMSE, Anambra State Chapter, Chinemerem Oguegbe, spoke on how technology can help Small and Medium Business owners grow.
0
0
