Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Wednesday called for proper implementation of the Federal Government’s Strategic Framework for the sector.
The President, ATCON, Mr Tony Emoekpere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the proper implementation of the framework would boost the sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE) has a strategic framework that guides its activities and helps it to meet its goals for the prosperity of Nigerians.
The framework is based on five pillars – Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital, and Trade.
Each pillar has specific goals and objectives that address critical aspects of Nigeria’s digital economy.
For example, the ministry’s plan for infrastructure development involves the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT).
The plan also calls for NITDA to expand the innovation ecosystem and improve Nigeria’s Economic Complexity Index (ECI) ranking.
Emoekpere said that though the strategic framework was a right step in the right direction, but not much had been done in ensuring its implementation in the sector in the past one year.
“ATCON is looking forward to the implementation of policies and plans for the sector, such as the expectations muted at different fora for telecoms infrastructure to be designated as Critical National Asset.
”The encouraging thing is that there is a listening government and discussion is ongoing, and hopefully there will be positive response,’’ he said.
The ATCON president said further that more government presence and effort are being expected in the sector, because there were issues that needed to be addressed.
He said that also the Special Purpose Vehicle to support the deployment of additional 90,000 kilometres fibre optic cable was encouraging.
Emoekpere noted that the fibre optic cable would complement existing connectivity infrastructure and deliver a stronger national backbone for universal access to the internet across Nigeria.
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is a professional, non-profit, non-political umbrella organisation of telecommunications companies in Nigeria.
