The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has unveiled his eight-point agenda which is his new strategic vision for the year 2015/2020 to complement the change mantra of the present administration. According to him, the vision is to help promote innovation, investment, competition and consumer empowerment.

By his projection, more jobs and wealth would be created within the period which would be highlighted by more investments, stressing that his leadership would be defined by strict adherence to good corporate governance and global best practices.

The EVC disclosed this at his maiden international press conference held in Lagos. According to him, “over the years, the NCC has earned a reputation as a foremost telecoms regulatory agency in Africa”, adding “we hope to catalyse the use of ICTs for enabling different aspects of national development.”

The EVC who is keen on seeing and actualising ubiquitous broadband deployment across the country said that the 5-year 8-point plan rests on Availability, Accessibility and Affordability of service delivery across the nation.

“The three ‘A’s which are the hallmark of universal access and service revolve around an ideological shift in creation of structures for benefits and inclusiveness foe national development.”

“Maximising the power of information and Communications technology to grow our economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness through the deployment of broadband infrastructure to facilitate rollout of broadband services that will hold out opportunities and higher network quality of service for all Nigerians”, the EVC said.

In its 8 point plan, the commission says it’s to:

• Facilitate broadband penetration through the provision and optimisation of access to and the use of affordable fixed and mobile broadband in Nigeria
• Improve on the QoS by promoting the availability of reliable, interoperable, rapidly restorable critical ICT infrastructure that are supportive of all required services
• Optimise usage and benefits of spectrum by maximising availability of spectrum in order to provide diverse and affordable ICT services and ensuring that spectrum acquisition does not distort marketing competition
• Promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities. By this, ICT innovations will be promoted in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increased investment in youth and promotion of SMEs for new business delivery breakthroughs.
• Facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders to foster ICT for sustainable economic development and social advancement
• Protect and empower consumers from unfair practices through availability of information and education required to make informed choices in the use of ICT services
• Promote fair competition and inclusive growth by creating a competitive market for ICT services that foster fair inclusion .of all actors in innovative ways that facilitate new investment, job creation and consumer satisfaction
• Ensure regulatory excellence and operational efficiency through effective regulatory framework, efficient processes, strict compliance monitoring and enforcement efficient management and internal resources, structure and maintain a commitment to transparency.

He however maintained that the policy goals of the commission “recognises the immense socio-economic importance of ICTs to national development and therefore seeks to ensure that the infrastructure necessary to provide ubiquitous broadband services is available and accessible to all citizens at affordable rates. Broadband is the next frontier in the ICT industry which will help in the speedy transformation of the Nigerian economy”.

He however added that, “the strategic vision 2015-2020 responds to all these by setting the foundations for future growth and competitiveness that will be sustainable and inclusive and which would address our principal societal challenges as a nation”.