Proposed ICT policy to Boost Nigeria’s Development

Gbenga Adebayo
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)

Proposed ICT policy to Boost Nigeria’s Development

The recently released draft of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy, which seeks to harmonise all existing ICT Policies in Nigeria into a single policy for the technology sector of the economy has continually prod reactions among stakeholders in the industry.

Objective

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, told reporters that the plan by the Communications Technology Ministry to come up with harmonised ICT Policy, was a welcomed development, explaining that the policy document, if well implemented, will address the collective interest of all stakeholders in the ICT sector, as well as boost national development in the country.

Adebayo who said he had taken enough time out of his busy schedule to thoroughly read and digest the draft copy of the policy as released by the Communications Technology Ministry, commended the committee that put the document together, pointing out that it was a good job that was properly done with the interests of all stakeholders in mind.

He said the ICT Policy was capable of addressing contemporary issues in the ICT industry, since the existing ICT policies put together, had become obsolete, when compared with modern day realities.

Adebayo who commended the efforts of the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, for the action taken thus far, said the minister was out to take the ICT industry to the next level.  

The draft National ICT policy

Communications Technology Ministry had on Monday January 9, 2012, released a draft national Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy for the country, and called on all stakeholders of the ministry and members of the public to review the draft policy and make their contributions.

The draft National ICT policy, which was posted on the Ministry’s website, is expected to be there for two weeks to allow for inputs before it is presented to the Federal Executive Council.

The harmonised ICT policy, when implemented, is expected to address appropriate policies, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks as well as a converged ICT regulatory agency.

It will also address affordable and reliable access to ICT, investment in ICT, research and development in ICT, legislations in cybercrimes, ethical and moral conduct, privacy, copyrights, intellectual property rights, piracy and e-transactions.

The harmonization

Mrs Johnson had on August 25, 2011, set up a nine-man ad-hoc committee to harmonise all the various policies for the different sectors in the ICT industry, which includes Telecommunications, Broadcasting, Information Technology and Postal Services.

The harmonisation of the various ICT policies marks the first step in the restructuring of the industry for the overall development of the ICT sector.

The committee, chaired by the President of Digital Bridge Institute, Prof. Raymond Akwule, was given six weeks time-frame to conclude the harmonisation of all ICT policies into a single ICT policy.

The committee had since completed its task and submitted its report to the ministry, which took time to study it before releasing it for public consumption and input.

NP/Adekusibe/Williams