We also have a vision because part of the things we want to do is to ensure that we have penetration in about 70 per cent penetration in our state by the year 2030 – Dikko Radda
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State is turning his state into a hitech ecosystem, saying the state aims to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration to connect its 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) by 2030.
Radda said this at a two-day Business Roundtable on Investments in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical National Information Infrastructure recently in Abuja.
The programme organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has as its theme: “Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure: The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity.”
He underscored the need to promote digital growth in the state by expanding broadband access.
Radda said that the state had created a dedicated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Directorate, to be headed by a young professional, to oversee technology-driven initiatives.
“We created the ICT Directorate, which is responsible and serving with responsibility of all ICT infrastructure in the state. We are giving it to a very young person who is bio-friendly and airborne and capable to head it.
“We also have a vision because part of the things we want to do is to ensure that we have penetration in about 70 per cent penetration in our state by the year 2030.
The governor buttressed the importance of digital connectivity in driving economic growth, productivity, and national resilience adding that protecting telecom infrastructure was a shared duty between government, communities, and investors.
He assured that the state would cooperate with NCC and other stakeholders to achieve goals of the event and urged increased investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly in LGAs to bridge urban-rural digital divide.
Radda commended the NCC, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the World Bank for organising the event, which brought together policymakers, investors, and regulators to discuss strategies for broadband expansion and infrastructure protection.
Earlier, the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said Nigeria had faced significant infrastructure challenges, including fibre cuts, equipment theft, and denial of access to telecom sites.
He said that one of the most significant barriers to broadband deployment in Nigeria was the high cost of Right of Way (RoW) fees charged by state governments, in spite of a resolution by the NGF fixing the rate at N145 per linear meter.
Maida said that NCC was working to improve broadband infrastructure, including the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optics backbone infrastructure in the country.
He hinted that the commission had inaugurated a broad public awareness drive which included TV, radio jingles, social media campaigns, and community engagement initiatives to mobilise citizens in protecting telecom infrastructure.
The EVC also said that the Commission alongside Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) had deepened collaborations with sub-nationals and their institutions, as well as the judiciary for deterrence and speedy prosecution.
“Through mediation, enforcement, and prosecutions of vandals, the NCC and ONSA are giving practical effect to the Presidential order in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital lifelines,” he said.
In his presentation, AVM. Enebong Effiom, Director, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection, Office of the National Security Advisers (ONSA) urged state governments to align with national broadband penetration initiatives or risk being economically disadvantaged.
He spoke on “Safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure: The Roles of States”.
He also said that states that encourage digital infrastructure and broadband access would attract businesses Startups and digital jobs within the states.
He urged them to integrate digital literacy programmes into their community development agenda to build a digitally informed and empowered population. (NAN)
