UMAR Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigeria Telecommunications Commission, NCC, has said that the commission is ready to ensure the country is fully captured in the broadband deployment programme. He said the programme is geared towards enhancement of socio-economic development through telecommunication technology.

According to him, the tremendous capacity of broadband services in Lagos, is not being felt in the hinterlands. He pointed out that there was urgent need to cover areas where the broadband services have not reached for the benefit of people who are resident outside major cities.

Danbatta, who stated this in Kano, during the first-leg of Broadband Engagement Forum for stakeholders in the north, said already the country has been divided into seven zones. The zones, according to him, are north-west, north-east, north-central, south-south, south-east, south-west and Lagos zones, to ensure effective and equitable broadband service deployment.

The NCC has set up an implementation monitoring committee, not only to monitor the establishment of the broadband infrastructure project, but to also ensure adequate sensitisation of all stakeholders, and as well, proffer solutions to challenges of broadband deployment such as payment of taxes and right-of-way.

Danbatta, who highlighted the benefits of broadband services, noted that there would be gradual transformation in the area of health, education, transportation, socio-economic development, as well as transparency and openness in governance.

– Oct. 26, 2018 @ 13:15 GMT /