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Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has disclosed plans by the Federal Government to commence local production of Subscribers Identification Module popularly known as SIM cards to cater for the growing demand for telecommunication services across the continent
The Minister who made this known while briefing leadership and members of the House of Representatives, disclosed plans by the executive to introduce a bill which will provide for the creation and development of an enabling environment for technology enabled startups in Nigeria.
He stated that the proposed bill which seeks to create an enabling environment for technology innovators in the country to maximise their potentials and attract local and foreign investments is capable of expanding the numerous business ideas that abound among young Nigerians who come up with problem-solving innovations daily.
Pantami maintained that the initiative will make Nigeria’s youth population self-sufficient and reduce the burden on government for job creation.
Majority Leader of the House, Ado Doguwa who represented the leadership, welcomed the initiative but demanded a detailed draft of the bill and its competitiveness to Nigeria’s telecommunication sector under a council proposed to be chaired by the President and Minister of Communication as Deputy.
Some Members of the House of Representatives present at the meeting expressed concerns over the funding requirements of the proposed legislation querying additional expenses the council’s activities will place on the federal purse as well as its effects on the role of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
This position is expected to get inputs from lawmakers when the bill is officially presented to the National Assembly for consideration by the executive.
