By Seun Adams
The Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, has hailed the Information and Communications Technology (ICT’s) contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the report released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), for the second quarter, he said ICT’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP surpassed that of oil and gas in the period.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Media and Public Relation in the ministry, Mrs. Philomena Oshodin, in a statement, said the report which was released on Tuesday, noted that the country’s GDP grew by 1.94 percent in real terms in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the second quarter of 2018, which recorded a growth of 1.50 percent.
Furthermore, the non-oil sector contributed 9.18 percent to the nation’s GDP in the second quarter of 2019 as opposed to the 8.82 percent contributed to total real GP by the oil sector.
Particularly, the ICT sector contributed 13.85% to total nominal GDP in the second quarter of 2019 which is much higher than the 11.22 percent contributed in the same period in 2018.
He attributed the significant contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to the concerted efforts of the president through the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to the economic diversification efforts of the present administration and called on all stakeholders to support the initiatives aimed at taking Nigeria to the next level.
Meanwhile, the Minister has said that it has the mandate to coordinate all activities in information and communications technology across the country.
Pantami, made the disclosure during his meeting with the Deputy Managing Director, Head of Public Sector, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Mr. Michael Zhauang at the ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
He commended the technology company for their Community Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiative in ICT capacity through building capacity.
He urged the company to continue the collaboration with the ministry and to increase their CSR.
Also in a related development, the minister, while receiving the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Harriet Thompson, stated that by the end of 2022, the ministry planned to achieve a lot in the area of e-governance particularly with MDAs
He said: “I have been encouraging my colleagues to make them understand that it is not about blue print or strategy, it is most importantly about implementation.”
Pantami, further revealed that the ministry will be setting out new priorities on e-governance in a retreat soon.
He explained further that the ministry will set its priorities right based on the directive of government. We would also look at the plan the British High Commissioner has proposed to support the Ministry in delivering the dividends of democracy.
Speaking, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Harriet Thompson, said that Britain is willing to support Nigeria to create jobs, attracting investment and develop its ICT. She urged Nigeria to be part of the ICT summit to be showcased in UK.