The federal executive council (FEC) has approved the deployment of 4,000 telecommunications towers nationwide to expand digital access in underserved communities.
According to NAN, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, briefed state house correspondents after the council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
“There is also an approval by FEC granted to the Ministry of Digital Communications and the Ministry of Finance to establish service centers for agricultural mechanization and digital economy on the deployment of towers to places that are currently underserved,” Idris said.
He said the initiative targets communities without basic digital connectivity and economic inclusion.
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“Under that program, about 4,000 towers will be erected in underserved communities,” the minister said.
“The presentation of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy indicates that about 23 million Nigerians are currently underserved, meaning that they are unable to do anything.”
He said limited digital access has restricted economic participation and basic communication in many remote areas.
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“Indeed, this will also help in fighting insecurity and enhancing commerce and economic activity amongst the people of Nigeria,” Idris said.
The minister said the council also issued new directives to strengthen project prioritisation across government agencies.
Idris told journalists that the FEC further approved the establishment of service centres for agricultural mechanisation across the geopolitical zones to boost year-round farming.
The minister said the decisions were aligned with the medium-term expenditure framework, which was earlier presented by the ministers of finance and budget.
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