The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, has tasked the newly inaugurated board members of three agencies under the Ministry to boost investment in the ICT sector.
The minister said this yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of the 36 board members of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
He emphasized the need to seek investors and potential partners “from Korea, China and India where we will find the greatest synergy for our ICT development.”
He said: “Making Nigeria ICT sector as attractive and as welcoming as possible to international investors is one of our most important goals, whether they come to Nigeria for Internet provision or BPO.
He added that the reconstitution of the Board is to show the importance the government attaches to their role. “Today’s occasion is quite special as it marks the end of a long wait for reconstitution of the Boards. It is an indication of Government responsiveness to the demands of the people.
“I recall that since the Boards were dissolved, there have been calls for their reconstitution due to undoubted relevance of Boards to the development of the Agencies.
He noted that the major challenges to the sector have been lack of an integrated framework for coordinated development, inadequate infrastructure leading to low access of Nigerians to the benefits of ICT, poor local content in the ICT industry, inadequate investments in the sector and low capacity including lack of globally competitive skills.
He therefore urges the ministry, board members and management staff of all the Agencies to work together and continue to strengthen the existing relationships with all levels of government and international partners to achieve set goals.
“A major concern in the inter relationship in Government ICT institutions is that of inadequate synergy. I urge you to make this a core principle in your various spheres of authority to facilitate seamless development in the sector.
He reminded the board members that their new role requires high level of commitment. “I therefore charge you to immediately hit the ground running.”