Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has called for immediate implementation of the recently approved National Broadband Plan.
The firm, in a statement on Monday, said a speedy execution of the strategy document could contribute about N190bn to the country’s GDP in 2015.
The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, made this call in Lagos while speaking at the Nigerian Telecoms Development Lecture.
Ogunsanya said Airtel remained committed to partnering the Federal Government on the delivery of excellent broadband services and the development of the Nigerian economy.
He described the issuance of the Broadband Plan as a right step in the right direction and promised that the Telco was deeply committed to collaborating with the government to implement the plan and facilitate broadband realisation for Nigeria.
Beyond policy direction, the chief executive officer also called on the government to focus on driving broadband adoption and utilisation, noting that government’s patronage of readily available local applications and solutions would be a great boost, just as partnerships with telecoms operators, ICT players and development partners would help to drive utilisation.
He said, “As it concerns broadband adoption and utilisation, there should be government’s affirmative action targeting the delivery of social and public services over broadband. The zeal applied by the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Government in e-Payment and cash-less policy initiatives should also be replicated in driving adoption and utilisation by the populace.”
He also noted that the implementation required long-term commitment and significant action by federal, state and local governments, as well as the executive and legislative arms of government – alongside strong private sector participation.