Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has appointed Barrister Chike Maduekwe as his Special Adviser on Digital Economy.
The appointment took effect from June, 2021, and is part of measures to introduce a new lease of advancement in digital economy in the State.
Speaking to the Press, Barrister Maduekwe said his appointment is in tandem with advice by the Nigeria Communications Commission to state governors, to implement the National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy as well as the Broadband Plan.
Barrister Maduekwe, who is also the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, posited that implementation of the National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy, as well as the Broadband Plan will ensure that Anambra State provides telecom infrastructures such as ducts as they plan cities and towns.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the confidence deposed in him, recalling that Governor Obiano had waived the right of way fees for telcos in the state, a strategy aimed at attracting telcos, who are willing to help Anambra develop infrastructure that will support the emerging digital economy, revealing that the move is already yielding positive results as companies, who prepared to partner the state, are free to do so now.
The Special Adviser on Digital Economy asserted that the benefits of a fully functional digital economy are enormous, pointing out that one component of the digital economy is that well planned cities open new revenue streams for government and prevents roads, water pipes, bridges and other infrastructures from unnecessary destruction.
Barrister Maduekwe further noted that conversation about digital economy is incomplete without broadband access at speed and cost that many can afford, which was why Anambra hosted the broadband conference recently.
The federal government had earlier launched the National Digital Economic Policy and strategy 2020-2030, followed up by the new National Broadband Policy appealing to states to take urgent steps to domesticate the policies.
