Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has assured of it’s commitment to the development of Nigerian local content in the telecommunications sector.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta have the indication while delivering a keynote address at the Virtual Maiden Edition of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (Piafo-001) on National Policy for Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector.
He said the gesture will enable the Commission to deliver on the stipulated targets in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.
Represented by the Team Lead, NODITS, Engr. Babagana Digima,the EVC said the Commission has initiated a licensing framework to enable infrastructure companies (INFRACOs) roll out optical fibre cables for communications in the 774 Local Government Areas that make-up the Federation.
He said the Commission also ensures full utilization of spectrum for deployment of services through Re-farming, Re-planning and Auctioning.
“As we are all aware, the Federal Government has put in place very robust policy and legal framework for local content within the oil and gas sector. Similarly, the advent of local content in the Nigerian Telecoms sector is probably as old as the Nigerian telecoms revolution itself. The National Telecommunications Policy posited that the domestic production of telecommunications hardware and software is desirable for national development. It further states that, Government shall encourage domestic production of telecommunications equipment, components and software to meet local and export demands.
“With the constitution of the NODITS, the industry should expect new Guidelines and Regulations bothering on indigenous content, local manufacturing of telecom equipment, outsourcing of services, construction and lease of telecoms ducts, succession planning in the telecoms sector, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, etc. as the need arises.”
The NCC boss further noted that the Commission has constituted a standing licensing review committee that is currently examining all its licenses. He said this is being done not only to reflect the current realities of technology and development but also to consolidate, bundle or un-bundle individual licenses or even create new licenses.
Recall, President Muhammadu Buhari only recently presented the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecom Sector.
The Policy, code named NPPIC, seeks to accelerate the pace of indigenous digital capacity development and thereby enhance national competitiveness and prosperity for indigenous/local players in Nigeria.
He said other Departments within the Commission are equally saddled with responsibilities that help to inculcate indigenous participation in the telecom sector.
“Efforts being made by the Research & Development and Licensing Departments are worthy of mention in that regard. Under the auspices of the Research & Development Department, the Commission has sponsored research efforts in several universities across the country.
“Notable areas of research conducted include Development of All Weather Solar Systems For Energy Optimization in a Mobile Communications Base Stations (at Ekiti State University of Technology); Design and Fabrication of Meta-material Inspired UWB/MIMO Antenna for the 5G-Sub 6GHz Application (at Taraba State University); and “Intelligent Autonomous Multi-UAVs (Multiple Drones) Swarm Monitoring for Effective Surveillance and Situation Awareness in the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry (at Gombe State University),” he disclosed.
“We want Nigerians to play a major role in the design and manufacture of devices, in meeting the manpower requirements and in becoming an active part of the telecommunications ecosystem of the country.”
The EVC noted that by these activities the Commission was seeking to identify with and harness local resources in Nigerian institutions of learning
