ICT/Telecoms: Governors task NCC, Telcos, others with improving access in rural, underserved communities

*Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have charged the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, telecoms firms, and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that universal access and ICT/telecommunications services are provided in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have urged the National Assembly (NASS) to integrate electronic transmission (e-transmission) of results of elections into the country’s electoral jurisprudence.

ConsumerConnect reports the governors in a communiqué issued after their meeting Monday, July 26, 2021, in Bauchi, Bauchi State, said they would continue to identify with the need for free, fair, and credible elections in the country.

The state chief executives at their meeting, where issues on the state of the nation were deliberated upon, also the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “the only body empowered by the Constitution to conduct elections”, to deploy appropriate technologies necessary to ensure that the votes of every Nigerian is counted and made to count.

The forum urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), particularly the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), telecoms firms (Telcos), and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that universal access and service of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are provided in rural, unserved and underserved areas of the country before the 2023 General Elections.

Reviewing the deteriorating state of democracy, economic and security situation in the country as of now, the opposition governors also stated the need for accountability in governance.

Likewise, the governors emphasised the need for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other revenue-generating agencies of government to strictly abide by the constitutional provision by remitting all their revenue, less cost of production into the Federation Account as provided for by 5.162 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Regarding the economy, the meeting admonished the Federal Government to collaborate more with State Governments to stem the unemployment scourge affecting the millions of Nigerian youths through technologies and increased production in all fields of endeavor.

The government should stop paying lip service on the Ease of Doing Business, as foreign direct investments have continued to fall, partly due to obstacles placed on foreign companies wishing to invest in Nigeria, the governors said in the statement.

The communiqué also stated: “A glaring example is that of Facebook, who insisted on investing in Nigeria rather than Ghana and is being frustrated by regulatory authorities.”

A cross-section of governors at the meeting in Bauchi   Photo: Independent

Regarding the security of lives and property, the Governors said it is time to bring the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists to an end, through increased use of military equipment.

“Traditional means of conflict resolution and technology for surveillance and the development of the political will to flush them out,” the governors said.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Gov. Udom Emmanuel, Gov, Sen. Douye Diri, Gov. Samuel Ortom, Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Gov. Nyesom Wike, Gov. Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Gov. Godwin Obaieki, Gov. Bala Mohammed, Gov. Arc Darius Ishaku, and others attended the meeting Monday, in Bauchi.