The Federal Government has advised the new Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to be innovative as they seek ways of improving the contributions of the telecoms sector in line with the diversification agenda of the government.
The Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu who gave this advice during the presentation of the new board to stakeholders at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, also advised them to work with the Commission to address the challenge of service quality.
Led by Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye, other members of the board are the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Mr. Sunday Dare; Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Mr Clement Baiye, who are Commissioners.
He commended the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari in the selection of the board, noting that the government “has expressed implicit confidence in the ability of this Board to achieve the expectations of the diverse stakeholders of the industry.”
Shittu said: “On the part of government as a critical stakeholder, we expect this Board to seek innovative ways to improve on the contributions of the telecoms industry towards the diversification of the nation’s economy.
“Telecoms has great potential with its close to 10 per cent contributions to the nation’s GDP. No government could therefore, afford to toy with a sector which has contributed more than $60 billion to the economy in less than 17 years.
“The telecoms industry, with its dynamic growth, has potentials to attract huge investments, create wealth, create employment opportunities, and enable e-governance at all levels of government.”