By CALLISTUS OFFOR, Abuja –
The Federal Government has unveiled 4,366 digital economy projects implemented in different part of the country as part of efforts to consolidate the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who unveiled the projects on Thursday at an event held at the NCC’s Communications & Digital Economy Complex, Abuja, said 95% of the projects has been completed and implemented.
Prof. Pantami noted that the projects were executed by the Ministry and parastatals under his supervision.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the hybrid event also witnessed the unveiling of the 443-Page Compendium of Achievements of the Digital Economy Sector under the leadership of Prof. Isa Pantami.
Parts of the projects commissioned virtually from Abuja by the minister included – the IT Hub in Gashua, Yobe State University (North-East); Community ICT Center, Ogbmosho, Oyo State (South-West); Federal University of Technology (FUT Minna) ICT Square Project (North-Central); Digital Awareness Programme, Adoka High School, Lagos State (South-West); Digital Nigeria Centre, General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Bauchi State (North-East); Digital Nigeria Centre, Udi Abia Secondary School, Enugu State (South-East).
The minister also flagged off the newly acquired Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) operational mail vehicles to enhance its logistics and mail delivery in FCT Abuja.
He noted that the performance of the digital economy sector within the last four years is highly commendable.
“The performance of The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is one the best in Nigeria because we were able to deliver excellently our 8 priority areas, namely – Global penetration in Nigeria (131%), 4G Internet penetration in Nigeria (127%), to develop policies for the digitalization of government processes (99%), develop national digital economic policy/implementation (103%), support digital IT (86%), to enhance government revenue generation (594%), to partner with private sectors for job creations (111%) and citizens empowerment (137%).
“In each of these priority areas, we delivered excellently well. Our average performance is over 173% while the target was 70%. So by implications, will exceeded our target by 137%”, he said.
Other achievements according to the minister are NIN enrolments, which he said have increased from less than 39million to over 100 million, average quarterly revenue increased from N51.3 million to N408.7 billion as assessed by independent bodies.
Prof. Pantami, noted that the ICT sector has contributed significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Nigerian economy; and one of the best performing sectors during the independent Ministerial mandates’ achievement review by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and KPMG.
“Under my leadership, the digital economy sector has played an important role in developing and diversifying the Nigerian economy. I am grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, the board and management of parastatals under the Ministry, and all stakeholders for the great support,” he said.
In his remarks, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, commended the minister and his management team for the giant strides recorded in the digital economy sectors.
Senator Dickson, however, solicited for the deployment of more digital infrastructures to areas where there are none particularly in his state and senatorial district, bearing in mind the significant contributions of ICTs to the economy.
There were goodwill messages from the CEOs and Director Generals of Parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
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