Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for initiating the National Universal Communications Access Programme (NUCAP) project and choosing Bende his constituency for its launch.
Kalu made the commendation during the commissioning of the first telecommunications tower under the Federal Government’s Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP) sited in Bende, Abia State to connect unserved and underserved communities in Bende Federal Constituency.
“On behalf of the people of Bende Federal Constituency, I sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his administration’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure and bringing more Nigerians into the digital economy.
“I commend the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital
Economy, the implementing agencies, network providers, engineers and all
partners responsible for this intervention. Thank you for choosing Bende. Thank you for recognising the needs and potential of our people”, Kalu said.
He also appreciated Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti for supporting the efforts of the federal government and other various projects attracted to the State, assuring continued partnership with the government to accelerate the development of Abia.
The Deputy Speaker said reliable telecommunications connectivity is critical to driving financial inclusion, expanding access to education and improving healthcare delivery in rural communities in Nigeria.
Kalu said dependable telecommunications had become a basic requirement for economic participation, particularly in rural communities where poor network coverage could prevent traders from confirming electronic payments, farmers from contacting buyers, students from accessing online lessons and families from obtaining timely medical assistance.
“For those who have always enjoyed reliable network service, connectivity may seem ordinary. For a rural trader whose payment repeatedly fails, a student who cannot join an online lesson, or a family struggling to contact a doctor, it is anything but ordinary,” he said, stressing that access to a reliable network could determine whether opportunities were secured or lost.
The Deputy Speaker explained that digital connectivity was increasingly intertwined with financial inclusion as mobile banking applications, electronic transfers, agent banking and other financial services depended on stable telecommunications infrastructure.
He added that improved access would enable young people to acquire digital skills, apply for scholarships, explore employment opportunities and participate in online learning without travelling outside their communities in search of a network signal.
He also highlighted the implications for rural healthcare, noting that reliable communications could help health workers consult specialists, exchange relevant medical information securely and coordinate referrals for patients requiring advanced treatment.
He was of view that improved connectivity would help reduce the geographical barriers separating rural residents from services concentrated in larger towns and cities.
Kalu further linked digital access to civic participation and public safety especially as the election is approaching, arguing that citizens needed reliable communication channels to obtain accurate information, engage elected representatives and report emergencies.
He said dependable networks were equally important to personnel responsible for electoral and emergency operations.
Describing Bende as an important centre of interaction with neighbouring communities, he said stronger telecommunications infrastructure would facilitate commerce, improve communication and support economic relationships beyond the constituency.
He, however, emphasised that the benefits of the new tower would depend on sustained maintenance, adequate power supply and prompt repairs whenever faults occurred.
While welcoming the intervention, the Deputy Speaker however urged the Federal Government to extend the programme to 16 additional locations identified as requiring connectivity support.
He called on the ministry, implementing agencies, telecommunications operators and community leaders to work with his office to verify the locations, assess coverage gaps and develop a clear implementation plan.
He equally called on traditional rulers and Presidents General of Town Unions to adequately ensure the protection of the critical national assets.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani said that the innovation will connect about 20 million Nigerians who have not access to telephone and internet services.
Describing universal connectivity as essential to ensuring that geographical location does not deny Nigerians access to economic opportunities, education, healthcare and public services, the Minister announced that the project forms part of a nationwide plan to deploy 3,700 telecommunications towers to extend voice and internet services to an estimated 20 million Nigerians who remain unconnected or inadequately served.
The minister disclosed that the Bende installation marked the first site commissioned under the programme, adding that further deployments would follow across the country.
“Before Christmas, every community in Bende will be connected. Nobody will spend Christmas without telecommunication service in this area,” Tijani declared.
He presented the initiative as part of President Tinubu’s drive to bring more Nigerians into the digital economy and broaden participation in national development.
Akeem Adeshina, Chief Commercial Officer of IHS Nigeria, described the project as an important step towards bringing the benefits of digital connectivity closer to underserved communities.
Adeshina said Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), a subsidiary of IHS Towers, was supporting the deployment of rural telecommunications infrastructure, alongside public Wi-Fi and Smart Village solutions, beginning with seven locations across Abia, Delta, Enugu, Plateau, Katsina and Ogun states.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Universal Service Provision Fund for their efforts to extend digital services to underserved populations.
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