FG Commissions NUCAP Tower to Connect Unserved Communities in Abia State
Chiamaka Livingstone
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has described reliable telecommunications connectivity as critical to driving financial inclusion, expanding access to education and improving healthcare delivery in rural communities in Nigeria.
The Deputy Speaker stated this in Abia State during the commissioning of a telecommunications tower located along Umuahia–Ohafia Road in the National Universal Communications Access Programme (NUCAP).
The telecommunications tower commissioned yesterday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is to connect unserved and underserved communities in Bende, Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
NUCAP is an initiative of the federal government to extend reliable mobile and broadband connectivity to communities yet to have adequate commercial network coverage for which President Bola Tinubu directed that every unserved part of Nigeria be integrated online.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker lauded the initiative, noting that the initiative will improve commercial and agricultural activities, and other services within the communities.
Hon. Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency in the National Assembly highlighted that financial inclusion increasingly depends on connectivity, as mobile applications, electronic transfers, agent banking and other digital financial services require dependable communication networks.
“For those who have always enjoyed reliable network service, connectivity may seem ordinary. For a rural trader whose payment repeatedly fails, a student who cannot join an online lesson, or a family struggling to contact a doctor, it is anything but ordinary. It can determine whether an opportunity is secured or lost.
“Where a person lives should not determine the limits of what that person can become. When the network fails, a trader may be unable to confirm payment. A farmer may struggle to receive money for produce. A household may be unable to access funds sent by a relative. Reliable connectivity helps bring banking closer to the unbanked”, he said.
“Our children should be able to receive online tutoring, access learning materials and participate in lessons beyond their immediate environment. Our teachers should be able to improve their skills and draw on wider teaching resources.
Our young people should be able to apply for scholarships, acquire digital skills and explore opportunities without travelling elsewhere simply to find a signal. The talent is already here in Bende. We must provide the connections through which that talent can grow,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker said the Bende’s location and proximity to neighbouring States make connectivity valuable for trade, movement and inter-community relationships, noting that investment in Bende’s connectivity has benefits that extend beyond the area.
He said the launch should be seen as part of an ongoing effort, revealing that 16 locations requiring connectivity intervention have also been identified in the constituency.
Kalu urged the Ministry of Communications and its partners to work with his office and community leaders to validate the locations, assess coverage gaps and establish a clear programme for addressing them, stressing the need for reliable service supported by maintenance, adequate power and timely response to faults.
He commend the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital
Economy, the implementing agencies, network providers, engineers and all
partners responsible for the intervention and recognising the needs and potential of the people.
He also appreciated Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti for supporting the efforts of the federal government and other various projects attracted to the State, assuring continued partnership with the government to accelerate the development of Abia.
He therefore called on the traditional rulers and Presidents General of Town Unions to adequately ensure the protection of the critical national assets.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Tijani,vsaid the innovation will connect about 20 million Nigerians who have not access to telephone and internet services.
“A farmer here with produce ready to sell, should not have to struggle to find a signal to call a buyer. A trader here should not lose a sale because a customer cannot find a network to make a transfer. And a family here whose child is ill at night should not have to struggle to make a call for help. For many Nigerians, these struggles are part of everyday life. We must change that.
“President Bola Tinubu has given us a clear mandate: work towards bringing every Nigerian online. Through NUCAP, we are delivering 3,700 telecommunications towers across Nigeria. Today, we are commissioning the first of these sites here. More will follow across the country in the coming days, weeks and months.
