ICT contributions to Federation Account grows by N357.4bn in 3years
….355,610 direct, indirect jobs created – Pantami
….Stakeholders expect more, decry multiple taxation, cost of ‘Right of Ways’
….Govt should invest more in local content, address over dependence on import – ATCON
By Ogaga Ariemu
Revenue contribution from the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) sector into the Federation Account increased by N357.4billion from N51.3billion to N408.7billion in three years; Nigerian NewsDirect has learnt. The growth represents an increase of 1,255 per cent over the revenue figure recorded three years ago.
According to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, the industry’s revenue generation capacity to the Federal Government rose from N51.3 billion to N408.7 billion in three years.
Highlighting the performance of the ICT sector, Pantami on Monday while addressing journalists in a press conference towards the commemoration of this year’s Digital Nigeria Day, slated for 25th-27th October 2022, said quarterly savings from the IT Projects’ Clearance Process rose from N12.45 million to N10.57 billion.
He further listed, 134 per cent Implementation of Broadband Connectivity; 127 per cent deployment of 4G across the country; 99 per cent Digitalising Government functions and processes; 103 per cent Development and implementation of a National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy; 86 per cent implementation of a Digital Identity Programme; 594 per cent Improvement and optimization of revenues from all operators and licensees in the agencies under the Ministry’s supervision and 111 per cent Active collaboration with the Private; 137 per cent Empowerment of citizens and Nigeria Startup Act as unprecendecent achievements recorded in the period under review.
“Over 863,372 citizens benefited from digital skills programmes and we have agreements with leading global companies like Microsoft and Huawei, to train millions of Nigerians.
“On assumption of office on the 21st of August 2019, the official broadband penetration figures stood at 33.72 per cent and today it is 44.65 per cemt, representing close to 13 million new broadband users.
“Similarly, there were 13,823 4G base stations and we now have 36,751, representing a 165.86 per cent increase. The percentage of 4G coverage across the country also increased from 23 per cent to 77.52 per cent. Additionally, the cost of data has crashed from N1,200 per GB to about N350, making it easier for Nigerians to connect to the Internet.
“We have also developed an IT clearance portal to support inoperability, eliminate duplication and ensure value for money in the implementation of ICT projects in the country.
“The quarterly savings from the IT Projects’ Clearance Process rose from N12.45 million to N10.57 billion.
“We aim to create a pool of Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy. Through our efforts, 355,610 direct and indirect jobs were created.
“Privacy concerns are also being addressed through the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB). The drafting of the data protection bill has reached an advanced stage. The Digital Identity enrolments have also been very successful, with issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) rising from less than 40 million to over 90 million.
“We have been very active in the emerging technology space and even established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the first of such centres in Africa.
“As part of our efforts to promote indigenous content, we have developed a policy for promoting indigenous content in the telecom sector to complement similar efforts that focus on the information technology sector. This is important to stem the tide of capital flight, amongst other things.
“The efforts of the Ministry continue to play a critical role in the development of the different sectors of the economy. I call on all stakeholders to persist in supporting us to further accelerate the development of the sector,” he stated.
He also added that National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy 2020-2030 (NDEPS); Roadmap for the Implementation of the NDEPS; SIM Card Registration Policy and 14 others as evidential achievements.
Earlier Kashifu Abdullahi in his opening remarks said the event will serve as a springboard towards propagating the achievements of federal government in the ICT sector.
Also, the EVC NCC, Prof Danbatta in his remarks disclosed that the telecommunications sector will continue to build on its success story.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr William Alo; the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof Mohammed Abubakar; the Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aziz Aliyu; Postal Master General of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) Hon Sunday Adepeju; the National Cordinator National Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr Vicent Olatunji; and others in their goodwill messages lauded the Minister for bringing efficiency to the sector.
….Stakeholders expect more, decry multiple taxation
Meanwhile, stakeholders have said although the result of N408.7bn was a good feat, yet it would have been stronger if certain challenges as multiple taxation and high cost of Right of Ways in some States were addressed.
In his reaction to the development of the growth in the sector and revenue contributions, Executive Secretary, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr Ajibola Olude in a chat with NewsDirect on Monday said the Federal Government should do more to double the current achievements in the ecosystem.
“The figure would have been more if not for multiple taxation; high cost of Right of Ways (RoW) in some states; lack of foreign exchange; lack of incentive to local production of telecommunications hardware and software, such as phones and its application,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government should invest in mass production of telecommunications equipment to address over dependence on import.
