Governors assemble for broadband awareness forum

Governors from the 36 states are set to discuss how to empower the citizens with latest telecoms technologies as they partake in the maiden edition of Broadband Technical Awareness Forum for Governors (BTAF), put together by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka.

The programme, which takes place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Hotel in Abuja on Thursday, has the theme: “State Broadband Coordinating Councils: Potentials and Possibilities”.

It is expected to appraise the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which targets 70 per cent broadband penetration and to cover 90 per cent of the population.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will play host to the historic and seminal assemblage of governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

Some strategic members of states Executive Councils, telecom operators, infrastructure companies (InfraCos), strategic partners, investors and other critical stakeholders, will brainstorm on how Nigeria can achieve the expectations of the digital economy agenda.

Board members of the NCC, led by the Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande, and the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, will participate at the BTAF, whose overarching objective is to promote the establishment of State Structures required for sustainable broadband infrastructure development at the state and local government levels, thereby addressing hindrances to the Federal Government’s drive to achieve available, accessible and affordable broadband services for Nigeria’s economy.

The Forum is expected to affirm the commitment of the government to adopt broadband structure and last-mile projects, particularly the economic viability of broadband deployments beyond the cities, with a strategic focus on funding models and procedures for remarkable and measurable impact.

There will be a special panel session involving the Governors and development-focused partners both at local and international levels.