Nigeria has commissioned the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institutions with one more Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) which brings the total number to twenty-three in the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami who virtually commissioned the policy and Batch 10 of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) projects in Abuja, said it is in line with the Digital Economy agenda 2020 to 2030 and President Muhammadu Buhari’s target to fight corruption, transform the economy and ensure security
Dr Pantami noted that “In less than two years we have commissioned around 23 emergency communications centre for over the country and we have around 13 underway. And It is our plan to have at least one ECC in every state of the federation by 2022.”
The Minister explained that the National Policy on Virtual Engagements which was institutionalised in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service was to ensure the legality of virtual meetings in public service.
He added that the virtual engagements had saved cost for the FG, hence the money deployed to other areas of governance.
Dr Patanmi explained that the ECC which was designed to be present in every state of the federation for emergencies and the DECs coordinated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) were to facilitate learning in tertiary institutions.
“In less than two years we have commissioned around 23 emergency communications centre for over the country and we have around 13 underway.
“It is our plan to have at least one ECC in every state of the federation by 2022. These centres are very important, it is a toll-free number and if you make a call nothing will be deducted from your mobile account. This is to make it easier for all citizens to patronise and which will go a long way to support citizens in emergency cases, security situations,” the Minister stated.
He explained that the ECC project was set up to promote and enhance public safety through the use of the 112 number, designated as the Universal Safety and Emergency Assistance Number for telephone services generally.
“It will encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment of a seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency communications needs,” Dr. Pantami emphasised.
Speaking on the Digital Economy Centers, the Minister said that they were being equipped with computers for both students and staff, internet facilities, solar system, and in some cases backup generator for power.
“The DEC will serve as a capacity Building Centre to enable the promotion of knowledge-based economic growth, an avenue for creating jobs and providing access to information, knowledge and government enabled digital services for rural communities.
The centre is an avenue for stimulating economic growth by creating new products, increasing productivity and promoting new commercial and administrative methods,” He reiterated
The projects launched were the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in the Federal Public Institutions, ECC Akure, Ondo State, Digital Economy Centre (DEC), Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, DEC, Delta State University, Abraka and DEC, Government Secondary School, Rigasa (Main), Kaduna State.
The Minister for States, Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah said; “The world is going digital and Nigeria cannot lag behind. The ICT sector contributes greatly to the development of the country, hence the need to create a backup policy on virtual engagements. The world is going digital and Nigeria must not be left behind.”
Senate Committee Chairman on ICT, Mr Yakubu Oseni, assured that the legislative arm of government would sustain support to the ministry to ensure digital economy initiatives were achieved.
“In the comity of nations he made sure we are not left behind in the digital world and we as parliament promised to you full support without any cost.”
The Director-General National Identity Management Commission, Professor Aliyu Aziz, said the commission has enrolled 56 million Nigerians and that the enrollment increases by two million monthly.
“As at this morning NIMC has enrolled 56, million Nigerians and the enrollment increases by two million monthly,“ he added.
Images from the official launching of National Policy on Virtual Engagements in Federal Public Institutions and the official commissioning of Digital Economy Projects for a #DigitalNigeria by the Honourable Minister of Communications ad Digital Economy, @DrIsaPantami. (BATCH 10) pic.twitter.com/4Y2iOJRI19
— Fed Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy (@FMoCDENigeria) May 31, 2021
PIAK
