Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
Stakeholders have given a firm commitment to support the Benue state government’s vision of prioritising digital infrastructure development and positioning the state as a leading digital hub that connects communities to 21st-century opportunities.
The first-ever Benue State Telecommunications Summit, with the theme “Fibre Network Investment, Right of Way Processing, and Infrastructure Management,” drew participants from all walks of life.
The summit, which took place in Makurdi, the state capital, centered on collaboration and unlocking the full potential of digital connectivity as a crucial step towards fostering growth and innovation in Benue State.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Officer in Charge of Communications for the Benue State Command, SP Emmanuel Aningeh, underscored the critical role that telecommunications infrastructure plays in driving national development, economic growth, and security operations.
He noted that the Nigerian Police Force has been working to strengthen its operational strategies and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to enforce laws and regulations that protect critical national communications infrastructure.
IGP Egbetokun directed police commands nationwide to intensify surveillance, intelligence-led patrols, and community policing engagement around telecom installations to combat vandalism and sabotage effectively.
“Offenders will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The IGP commended the Benue state government for convening the telecom stakeholders’ summit to address these national concerns.
He reiterated the commitment of the force to safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications assets and ensuring the integrity of national infrastructure for sustainable development and national security.
Receiving participants earlier at the summit, the Managing Director of Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), Mr Gbande-Hembaor Terwase, urged stakeholders to join forces, prioritise digital infrastructure development, and work together towards establishing Benue as a premier digital hub that connects communities with 21st-century opportunities.
“The aim of the summit organised by BDIC is to bring together key players in the telecom industry, including government agencies, investment partners, telecom operators, and development partners,” adding that the goal is to create a framework for progress in the digital infrastructure sector.