By Abdul Aji
The Benue State Executive Council, has approved the full domestication of the National Digital Economy Plan Strategy (NDEPS) in the State.
The National Digital Economy Plan Strategies (NDEPS) 2020 to 2030 outline defined policies, priorities, objectives, and implementation plans focused on driving the digital economy for growth, well-being, and inclusiveness.
These strategies aim to boost economic productivity, enhance competitiveness, and create sustainable economic growth.
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Benue State Executive Council considered and approved the Benue State Digital Economy framework and funding for the entire state’s digital economy infrastructure, worth N93,500,000,000 Naira.
Related News
The Commissioner for Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Kwaghgba Amande, stated this while addressing newsmen in in Makurdi, the state capital.
Consequently, the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company Implementation Committee was inaugurated on 7th May 2024, with terms of reference to work out the modalities for the establishment, funding, and management of “Benue Digital Infrastructure Company.
It also approved the establishment of an enforcement agency with the technical expertise to regulate the Benue State ICT sector and aggregate BDIC services for implementation in all MDAs, known as “Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management Enforcement Agency” (BENDISMEA).
This Agency, will serve as the sole implementer of digital services and infrastructure developed by the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company for the Benue State Government, the Local Government Areas, and agencies in Benue State.
It will also regulate ICT services and ensure compliance with user agreements among all state and local government entities.
The Agency will derive 0.5% of BDIC’s revenue as operational and running costs, outside the State Government’s burden.
The Council also approved the immediate recruitment and employment of 253 digitally inclined staff to support the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management Enforcement Agency (BENDISMEA) operations within 3 months.
Other approvals include acquisition of a state-owned Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) license with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to handle all state revenue and payment processing activities, including payroll, BIRS collections, and state POS to eliminate and avoid third-party services in revenue collections in the state.
The Commissioner for Communication and Digital Economy was appointed as the Chairman of BDIC Board of Directors and confirmation of the nomination of the Lead Private Partner/BDIC Consultant, Mr. Gbande Terwase Hembaor, as the Managing Director/CEO of Benue Digital Infrastructure Company.
The use and conversion of the Benue State Library Complex into the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company Headquarters, which will include a data center, digital library/e-learning, computer-based testing (CBT) center, digital TV studio infrastructure, training facilities, and simulation laboratories, including fitting out with computers and furnishings as part of state government equity, was discussed.
Provision of physical infrastructure by the 23 Local Government Councils for the development of Digital Hubs in each Local Government Council which will house, Fiber and radio internet connectivity, 500,000-litre underground water storage facility.
Others are Robotics, artificial intelligence, and technology transfer laboratories and E-libraries and interactive digital tools for people with special needs and education, are all part of the activities to be carried out.
The Commissioner revealed that the company would significantly contribute to the general automation of the civil service, which would help in monitoring the attendance of Benue workers through platforms introduced by the company.
The Commissioner for Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Amande, expressed his profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Alia, for his genuineness and sincerity in allowing such a magnificent milestone to be achieved.
