LAGOS: Nigeria is wasting no time in pushing forward in the new year toward ambitious information, communications and technology (ICT) action, with the ICT ministry saying it announced its priorities and goals through 2015 on Monday as part of the country's overall effort to bolster its GDP and telecommunications sectors. It comes after the past few months in Nigeria saw widespread disapproval over the dealings of the telecom operators in the country, causing the ICT ministry and the country's telecom regulator to intervene with threats. The ministry said that it hopes to see Nigeria connected across the country “by facilitating the provision of a ubiquitous and cost-effective national ICT infrastructure; fostering software development, ICT entrepreneurship and innovation and the development of a strong and vibrant ICT industry." It also said that the ministry would be “addressing quality of service delivery; driving local content and skills development to create jobs and sustain the industry and cost reduction; and transparency in governance and citizen engagement." Many are viewing the proposals and goals as ambitious, considering the ministry's inability to ensure better customer service relations during the latter half of 2012, but analysts across the board believe the goals are well-thought out and should help bolster the country's growing IT sector. The ministry also added that it “had achieved a number of milestones since it was set up one year and five months ago and had set in motion a number of initiatives that will fast track the development of the sector." It cited mobile phone penetration and the increase in fixed lines in rural areas a signs of the country's overall ICT growth. Still, many are wondering if the ministry is giving lip service to the issues at hand or if they will move forward in attempting to create a better ICT industry in the West African country. Bikyanews.com
