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NCC needs N700 billion to provide basic telecommunication infrastructure, Danbatta tells Reps Committee
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta said, the sum of N700 billion is needed to provide basic telecommunication infrastructure, including optic fibre cables and base stations, in order to increase connectivity nationwide.
The NCC’s bid to deepen connectivity at the grassroot gained traction as the agency revealed that it had already taken steps to address the issue by creating a fund to support infrastructure development in rural areas and promoting infrastructure sharing among telecoms operators.
Prof. Danbatta was reacting to concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee over the non-existent telecommunication services in some rural parts of the country, which the Committee summoned him to offer explanation.
The NCC boss revealed that the agency was committed to ensuring a universal access to telecommunication services in the country and was working with stakeholders to achieve this goal, while urging the committee to support the Commission’s efforts by providing the necessary legislative and policy support to boost the sector.
Danbatta disclosed that as of 2013, there were 207 clusters of access gaps that affected 37 million people in Nigeria, adding that progress has been made in reducing the clusters in rural, un-served, and under-served areas nationwide,that the number of Nigerians in the clusters had reduced from 37 million to 31 million in 2019.
The telecoms industry regulator, told the Committee that the NCC’s estimation of N700 billion to bridge the gap in access to telecommunication services was a call to action for the government, private sector, and development partners to work together to mobilize resources and deploy innovative solutions that can expand access to quality telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.
He charged the Federal Government to also create an enabling environment for this plan to thrive so that it can attract private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure development in rural and under-served areas.
He clarified: “Private sector players and development partners can also play a critical role in expanding access to telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas. This can be achieved through partnerships with the government, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to deploy innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of providing telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.
“Development partners on the other hand can support the government and private sector in mobilizing resources, technical assistance, and capacity building to address the digital divide in the country.
“This can be done through the provision of grants, concessional loans, and technical assistance to support the deployment of innovative solutions that can expand access to telecommunications services in rural and under-served areas.
“To achieve success in the telecommunication Space, there must be synergy between and among the stakeholders of the sector”, Danbatta stressed.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
TEHRAN, Mar. 30 (MNA) – The Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Yahya Saree said that Yemeni forces successfully hit the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missiles on Sunday.
Saree said that the Yemeni Armed Forces struck the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv using Zolfaqar missiles.
“By carrying out this operation, we proved that the US has failed to prevent Yemen from supporting the oppressed Palestinian people,” he stressed.
“American airstrikes do not prevent us from fulfilling our religious, moral, and human duties.”
“With the help of God Almighty, we will continue the anti-Zionist operations until the aggression and siege against the Gaza Strip stop.”
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.
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