By Na’ankwat Dariem , Abuja
The Nigerian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Parastatals under it have collectively generated a total of one point zero five three trillion Naira in the last two years.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, during the 12th batch, virtual commissioning of eight projects in Abuja.
He said that the ministry and its parastatals have generated over a trillion Naira for the nation adding that a major chunk of the revenue was from the sales of Spectrum Allocation.
“The Ministry and its parastatals have generated over N1 Trillion for the Federal Government in less than 2 years, this translates to an average of about N44 Billion every month or over N1.4 Billion every day. For example, about N360 Billion of this revenue was largely from Spectrum, allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), under the Chairmanship of the Minister, to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for commercial purposes.
Another over N600 Billion was paid by ICT Companies to the account of the Federal Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)”, Dr. Pantami explained.
In addition, he explained that , “over Ninety Four Billion Naira (N94,000,000,000) was generated for the Federal Government and approved by the National Assembly in line with relevant laws, as part of the 2020 appropriation for personnel, capital projects, capacity building, interventions, etc.
The IT Projects Clearance Programme also saved over Five Billion Naira (N5,478,007,325.23) for the Federal Government,” the Minister added.
He used the opportunity to thank all who have contributed in one way or the other to the success story of the ministry especially the Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) of the parastatals, saying;
“I wish to thank all our esteemed partners, stakeholders and members of the Communications and Digital Economy family for supporting us in the last 2 years. We look forward to your continued support and partnership.
“The CEOs of all the parastatals under the Ministry have been committed to their responsibilities and I commend them for this.
I also urge them to redouble their efforts in ensuring that we keep up the good work of developing Nigeria’s digital economy.”
The eight projects commissioned are:
Emergency Communications Centre (ECC), Makurdi, Benue State (North Central), whjch Pantami affirmed that this will help curb the security challenges in the area.
Others include Virtual Examination Centre, College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State (North West), E-Accessibility Centre, Alderstown Schools for the Deaf, Warri, Delta State (South South), and E-Health/Data Sharing Project, Leko Abdulrahman Hospital, Daura, Katsina State (North West) Digital Economy Centre & E-Learning Facilities, Ogba Grammar Shool, Lagos State (South West) Digital Economy Centre & E-Learning Facilities, St Paul Secondary School, Eke, Enugu State (South East), Digital Economy Centre & E-Learning Facilities, Federal Character Commission, Abuja (North Central), and E-Accessibility Centre, Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children School, Bauchi State (North East).
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, who attended virtually and the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, both appreciated the Minister for the great achievement in projects executions and restated that it will help the government in its digital economy drive.
Other dignitaries in attendance include Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Prof. Aliyu Aziz, Director General, Nigerian Communications Satellite Commission Ltd (Nigcomsat) and The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
