The use of technological communications devices, such as computers and the Internet to provide public services to citizens and other persons in Nigeria is fast growing, despite the current 35% internet broadband penetration rate in the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, confirmed that the digital interactions in layers of citizens and government (C2G), governments and other government agencies (G2G), government and citizens (G2C), between government and employees (G2E), and between government and businesses/commerces (G2B).
However, the country is yearning for more support in the deployment of internet broadband infrastructure in the country such that would improve public service deliveries and also deepens access and availability of e-government services to citizens.
Danbatta affirmed this in a keynote address delivered at the maiden edition of The Nigeria e-Government Conference organised by DigiServe Networks held at Sheraton, Lagos recently. Among those in attendance at the forum are key stakeholders in the country’s communication sector, including the umbrella body for telecommunication operators in the country.
Danbatta in his keynote address titled: “E-Government: Powering Governance with Information and Communication Technology” at the forum, examined the governance concept, ICT and the centrality of Internet/broadband in deepening provision of and access to e-government services in the country.
Represented by Director Public Affairs; NCC, Henry Nkemadu, Danbatta cited reports from the United Nations (UN), International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and World Bank to provide information on developments around the prospects of e-government in the country.
He explained in audience how the Commission has been working tirelessly to achieve ubiquitous access to the Internet in the country stating that decision led to the growth of e-governance services and proliferation of government internet portals that have been providing electronic-services to citizens, businesses and stakeholders seamlessly.
Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) are some of the top e-payment portals among several other e-services in the country.
Danbatta told the audience that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has continued to push various initiatives to deepen access to the Internet and by extension, broadband services in the country.
“The Commission exceeded its 30% target for Broadband Penetration in 2018 and will continue its drive towards universal access as detailed in the framework of its 8 Point Agenda. As at August 2019, 2G subscriptions stood at 122.9 million, corresponding to 64.42 per cent of the population.
“Also, there were 49.7 million 3G subscriptions equivalent to 26.03 per cent of the population with 17.3 million 4G subscriptions representing 9.07 per cent of the population. Broadband penetration on 3G and 4G, which are categorised as Broadband networks, therefore stood at 35.10 per cent in August, 2019.
“The Commission is actively exploring the utilisation of television white space (TVWS) technology to expand affordable broadband services to rural areas, while we have issued Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) Licences to some organisations to deploy fibre across the geopolitical zones with Access Points in all the 774 local government areas of the Federation,” he said.
He said the Commission expected to increase the number of fibre deployment in Nigeria to 127,000 kilometre from its current 42,000 kilometer of fibre connectivity in the country. Through the InfraCo initiative, therefore, the Commission expects additional 30,000 kilometre of fibre to be added. This, he said, is aside the results expected from major Mobile network Operators (MNOs), who also earmark resources, on a yearly basis, to expand their fibre deployment.
Danbatta, however, stated that the NCC is also working with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and other necessary stakeholders towards addressing the perennial industry challenges such as the Right of Way (RoW) issues, multiple taxation and regulation, vandalism/fibre cuts, theft of telecoms equipment, insecurity, power problem, among others – all of which are critical industry issues- impeding fast Broadband infrastructure deployment in the country, which has impacted the level of access to government, businesses and individuals to enjoy e-government services.”
Other key speakers, who spoke at the conference included Ernest Ndukwe, former EVC of NCC; Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON); Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); representatives of other government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other private sector key players.
