Danbatta pledges to further accelerate growth of telecoms industry

LAGOS, Nigeria – Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has said that he is committed to further accelerate the growth of  telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs of NCC, who made the revelation in a statement said that Danbatta’s assertion was in view of the agency’s role as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital economy vision for the next five years.

Adinde quoted Danbatta as saying: “As a commission, we are committed to challenging our current achievements.

“Consequently, we are poised to work more with the National Assembly and other necessary stakeholders in order to ensure we take Mr President’s digital agenda for the country to the next level in the next five years.”

The statement said Danbatta was awaiting the Senate’s confirmation of his reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari for another five years term.

 “His re-appointment followed the acknowledgement of his outstanding performance in the last five years when he appeared before the Senate Screening Committee on July 15.The committee is expected to report the outcome of the screening to the Senate Committee of the Whole House for confirmation of Danbatta’s re-appointment during the next legislative sitting.”

Adinde also said Danbatta, during the screening, had demonstrated his deep knowledge of the industry and extensively discussed his scorecard since he assumed office as the executive vice-chairman of NCC on August 4, 2015.

He said the committee members had applauded Danbatta for his sterling performance and exceptional leadership qualities, which, they said, had helped in accelerating the growth of the telecommunications sector.

Adinde said: “Danbatta, who gave convincing accounts of his stewardship in the last five years, said the diligent implementation of NCC’s auspicious strategic Eight-Point Agenda, which he put in place when he assumed office in 2015, provided the basis for most of the commission’s achievements.

“These, especially, are in the areas of service availability, accessibility and affordability.

“The EVC reeled outstanding achievements under him in the past five years and provided relevant industry and macro-economic statistics to illuminate his efforts and strides in the areas of the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Quality of Service (QoS) delivery, broadband infrastructure deployment, broadband penetration, effective spectrum utilisation, consumer empowerment, technology innovation as well as the commission’s efforts with respect to curbing fraudulent Subscriber Identity Management (SIM) registration and 112 Emergency Number toward ridding the country of insecurity, among others.”

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde said Danbatta thanked the lawmakers for their supports over the last five years.