Minister unveils ICT Roadmap 2017-2020, sensitizes private sector on investments
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu on Monday in Lagos, unveiled the federal government’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) roadmap 2017-2020 designed to drive the nation’s march to knowledge economy.
The event was also used by the Ministry to sensitise players in the private sector on windows of investment opportunities laced with the launched roadmap.
In his keynote address, the Minister made it clear that “This event is important as it provides opportunity for us to share our collective vision regarding the developmental trajectory of the ICT sector in the medium terms”.
According to him, “As an engine of growth on the economy, the private sector was pivotal to the consultations that culminated in the development of the Nigeria ICT Roadmap 2017-2020.
Explaining more on the theme of the event, which is ‘The role of the private Sector in the implementation of the Nigeria ICT Roadmap’, he presented facts and figures showing that the ICT sector had continued to play a leading role in the diversification of the nation’s economy in the last 10 years and therefore called on the private sector operators to cash into the new roadmap to deepen investments.
In his presentation, the President of Association of telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Olusola Teniola thanked the federal government for coming up with the roadmap, but noted that the government must provide enabling environment for investors to thrive.
He said having developed a roadmap, it is important to encourage investors with incentives and greater emphasis on local content.
In response, the minister was quick to assure that government is working at the Council of States level to provide encouraging conditions for investors in Infrastructure Companies (Infracos) for the delivery of broadband.
Other panelists thanked the ministry for the sensitization and called for enabling environments for investors to succeed.
A Ministry source hinted to Business Hilights at the programme that similar stakeholders’ forum on the roadmap which was approved by the Federal Executive Council will be conducted in other parts of the country before the end of the year to build investors confidence across the federation and beyond.
