The recently announced ministry of communications technology by the federal government may bring all telecommunications and broadcast regulatory organs of the government under its supervision.
Besides, LEADERSHIP investigation showed that the operations of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) may be harmonised.
Informed sources in the Presidency disclosed to LEADERSHIP that the NCC may swallow up the NBC in a new arrangement that is expected to bring both telecoms and broadcast media under one umbrella.
Part of the arrangement in the new ministry is to bring together all agencies that currently administer activities relating to communications and broadcasting.
LEADERSHIP also gathered that besides the responsibility for formulation and implementation of policy covering telecommunications and broadcasting technologies, the new ministry would create a general direction for the sectors under its purview.
The NBC and its activities would be handed over to the NCC while a separate body, the National Frequency Management Committee (NFMC) would handle all frequency issues and allocation on the advise of the NCC.
The federal government had set up the new ministry in line with global technology convergence of computing the telecommunications sectors.
It will be recalled that the new ministry grew out of stakeholders committee that had Vice-President Namadi Sambo as chairman.
The committee had also examined convergence issues especially as they affected some Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
While many MDAs frowned at the prospects of the new ministry, government said there was no going back on its establishment to harmonise several MDAs in order to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
According to LEADERSHIP investigation, aside the NCC and NBC that will come under the new Ministry, government has also put in place departments and agencies that are involved in communications, Information Technology and related profiles under the new ministry.
In this connection, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), National Space Research and
Development Agency (NASRDA) among others may come under the new Ministry.
Under the new arrangement, the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) which was under the Federal Ministry of Education may be moved to the Science and Technology Ministry.
Early in the week, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, in a statement signed by Alhaji Salisu Dambata, the deputy director (Information) quoting him (Anyim) as saying that the new ministry will be managed by someone versatile in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Meanwhile, stakeholders in ICT have begun to clamour for one of their own to be named to head the new ministry.
They according to LEADERSHIP investigation include Prof. Charles Uwadia, Professor of Computer Sciences at the University of Lagos and President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Executive Vice Chairman, Teledom International Group, Dr. Ibrahim Tizhe, President of CPN and a current Chief Executive of one of the agencies under the proposed ministry.
The government may name the new Minister next week.
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