NSE: Weak, Uncoordinated Feedback System Slowing Communications Sector's Growth
The leadership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at the weekend stated that a weak and uncoordinated monitoring, evaluation and feedback mechanism in the communications and digital subsector was slowing down growth.
The NSE, therefore called on the regulator and other industry players to work together to ensure the strengthening of the sector’s feedback processes to accelerate the expected advancement of the communications sector.
In a communiqué read by NSE President, Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, at the end of the 55th National Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the NSE said that inadequate and outright lack of modern communications infrastructure were affecting the spread, reliability, connectivity, cost, accessibility, and penetration of digital inclusion.
“There is weak and uncoordinated monitoring, evaluation and feedback mechanism in the communication and digital subsector affect(ing) the implementation of strategies and programmes for enhanced growth and effectiveness.
“There is the need for strengthening of monitoring, evaluation and feedback mechanism through the collective action of regulators, operators, service providers and technical partners championed by professional bodies,” Gidari-Wudil, noted.
The five-day programme tagged: "Advancing the Frontiers of Communication and Digital Economy in Nigeria,” had in attendance, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Mamora and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Patanmi, who was represented by the Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Aziz.
Other notable persons were the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Okon Umana, Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Kola Adesina, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwakwanso, among others.
While commending the efforts of the federal government as enabler in championing safe and secured digital Nigeria as well as promoting inclusive growth on a sustainable basis, the NSE stated that there has been an apparent improvement in provision of services and commerce triggered by adoption and adaptation of digital technologies which need to be sustained.
It stated that digital innovations and technologies were transforming the rural and urban market structure with gradual integration leading to improvement in job and wealth creation for enhanced livelihood of the rural populace.
The NSE also recognised the separate efforts of public and private sector in human and institutional capacity development in the various aspect of communication and digital economy with little synergy.
However, it noted that the