By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Federal Government has approved a total sum of N26.7 billion to execute projects under the ministries of Communications and Digital Economy; Information and Culture; Water Resources and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
This was the highlight of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed that Council approved the sum of N9.43 billion to complete the digital switch over, which had previously missed the deadline set for implementation.
Said he, “As you know, the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) had two cut off dates, one in 2017 another in 2020, where nations were supposed to complete their movement from analogue to digital. Regrettably, we (Nigeria) were not able to make it. But with the approval of this memo today (Wednesday), we would be striving to switch from analogue to digital.
We will now agree on a date for a launch in the biggest cities like Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. And we will start the switch off in the already switched on states.
“The digital switch over is now real and the economic effect of it will be the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs in content production, channel distribution, Nollywood and Electronic appliance productions to service about 20 million Nigerian homes.
“At the end of the switch over, we would have created the biggest free to air TV platform in Africa. I will be announcing a ministerial task force that will execute the council resolve either this week or next”, Mohammed submitted.
Meanwhile, Mohammed also revealed that FEC approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between his ministry and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Bankers Committee for the renovation of the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos.
He said: “This is a landmark approval because, it has paved the way for investment in the creative industry as part of the resolve of this government to create at least one million jobs in the next three years in the creative industry.
“Mr. President had in 2020 gave approval to the CBN and the Bankers Committee, to develop, refurbish, renovate the National Theater and at the same time take over the adjourning lands to create a veritable creative industry where they will be four hubs. One for films, one for music, one for IT and the other for fashion.
In another development, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Pantami, told State House Correspondents that FEC approved about N8.9 billion for a new National Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) Park in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to coordinate public and private ICT hubs in the country.
Pantami also revealed that government would soon release the timelines for the replacement of Bank Verification Number (BVN) with National Identification Number (NIN) in bank accounts.
He further explained that a 4,200 square meters land has already been acquired for the establishment of the ICT Park.
According to him, “The wisdom behind the ICT Park is for it to be a center where public and private ICT hubs are going to be coordinated by the federal government of Nigeria, where young innovators with crazy and disruptive ideas will be mentored and all what they need provided for.
We will provide enabling environment for them to utilize and come up with disruptive technologies.
Also, the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu told State House Correspondents after the meeting Council approved N8.43 billion for the implementation of Damaturu water supply scheme.
Adamu said, the contract for Lot A was awarded to Mallam Matari and Service Center Water Supply Project. Lot B is the construction of Water Supply at Nufakalam and Lot C Water Supply scheme at Sunsuma.
“We hope that with this intervention, the water supply within this area will be greatly enhanced. The completion period is 24 months”, the Minister said.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk, on her part said FEC has approved National Policy on Aging.
According to her, the objective of the policy is to ensure that older persons in the society are guaranteed security, independence anticipation, participation, comprehensive care, self fulfillment and dignity.
“The policy covers spectrum of issues and opportunities for older persons, older persons with disabilities, older persons who are internally displaced, older persons engaged in farming in the Nigeria, in urbane and rural areas.”
Those who attended the FEC meeting were Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Ministers present at the Council Chambers were Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Power, Sale Mamman and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and 8 other Ministers participated in the weekly council meeting from their various offices in Abuja.
