NCC finds Delta state a dependable ally for ICT sector transformation

Gov. Uduaghan of Delta State and NCC, EVC Dr Juwah: Seeing future in Technology..... is it?

By Prince Osuagwu

Since assuming office as the Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Delta state born Dr Eugene Juwah has embarked on a consistent crusade to cause a radical transformation of the Nigerian economy through the application of necessary technologies.
From engaging the operators to designing policies and projects on broadband penetration among others, Dr Juwah has been trying his hands on every available means that can help his course. Part of his strategies, which he revealed to FreeTalk Africa recently, also includes visiting and engaging visionary leaders and worthy professionals that can give result oriented ideas to achieving both the tasks he had set for himself and those the commission traditionally demands.
Last week, Juwah perhaps felt it was time to go home with his visions to see how much honour he may receive at home if he were to be a prophet.
Incidentally, his state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, also saw a leeway through the NCC, to develop the state’s ICT vision. It was like taking two to tango as Uduaghan pledged to work closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to enable the state develop its ICT vision which he described as the basic infrastructure for the socio political transformation of the state.
The NCC helmsman with his team who visited Uduaghan Thursday, briefed him on the commission’s plan to build an Emergency Communications Centre in Asaba to handle emergency calls, just as the commission also plans to build a Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Learning Centre in the state for the training of manpower for the communications industry.
An excited Uduaghan promised that the state will key into all NCC programmes and take advantage of them for the benefit of the people of Delta State.
He also commended the SIM Card Registration by the NCC saying that it will help reduce criminality in the country.
According to Uduaghan “I am one of the happiest persons in the country because SIM Card Registration has started and it will reduce criminality. The exercise will help us in dealing with criminality,”
The governor said that he was personally surprised that the SIM he bought recently could only do emergency calls as the card was not registered. He noted that such development was good for the health and safety of the country.
Meanwhile, Juwah had promised the governor and his Executive Council members, who received them that NCC had accepted the mandate to take communications to the various ends of the country, adding that his administration would address outstanding issues in the industry.
On the DBI, project, Juwah told Delta state that the institute is a centre of excellence being fully funded by the Commission to address the dearth of manpower which bedeviled the industry at the advent of mobile technology in the country.
DBI has its  main campus in Abuja, but with facilities in Lagos and Kano. He stated that work will soon commence in three other centres, of  Asaba, Yola and Enugu.
Uduaghan expressed happiness with the development, saying that the activities of the Commission in the state would compliment his administration’s effort to build and ICT Park for the transformation of the state.
“We are developing an ICT Park in Asaba here; that is why I am happy about your projects. We will key into your programmes and take advantage of them for the benefit of our people,” he said.