By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government says  it plans to invest in 7,000 towers to expand network coverage to underserved communities, with a focus to bridge digital divide and promote inclusive development in the country.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he unveiled a pilot project in Ibwa 2 community, situated at Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tijani hinted that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the ministry should invest 7,000 in giving Nigerians access to network.

He noted that there were about 20 million rural dwellers who do not have access to benefit from such facilities.

“Nigeria has decided to invest 7,000 of these equipment in healthcare.

“There are about 20 million people who cannot benefit from what we that live in the city or those who are nearer to the city are currently enjoying.

“Out of that 20 million people over 80 per cent of them are from the northern part of Nigeria.

“This is why Mr President has demanded that we must put money into ensuring that this opportunity is not only available to those in the urban area but every part of the north must be covered with this equipment.

“So that we can give this opportunity to our people regardless of where they find themselves.”

He said that the project, in collaboration with Globacom Nigeria and Huawei Technologies Nigeria, would provide different digital services to over 12,000 residents of the community, and those within its environs.

He explained that the 7,000 digital hospitals and schools would provide services for 80 per cent of the 20 million unserved who were from northern states.

The minister in test running the digital facilities had online conversations with a medical doctor in Abuja and a teacher in Lagos.

He assured that the 7,000 projects would be delivered by the end of the year.

According to him, 125 smart phones had been provided to the community through the village Head to be used for services provided by the facility with free WiFi.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Terrens Wu expressed delight over the collaboration, saying that it would lead to rural transformation and economic empowerment of rural dwellers.

Mr Wu was optimistic that the project  would deepen financial inclusion and boost economic activities.

He also expressed the commitment of Huawei to rural and urban transformation in Nigeria.

“Huawei has the technology to shape the ways rural areas are carried along in the plan for digital transformation and literacy in the country,” he said.

The Manager Globacom Nigeria Northern Region, Mr Kassim Kaka emphasised the company’s commitment to ventures that would improve digital literacy and deepen inclusion in the country.

The Village Head of Ibwa 2 Community, Abubakar Bamaiyi, appreciated the government for the projects, saying in the past, government officials would visit the community and make promises, but nothing would follow.

“In the past government officials would come and make promises but they end up doing nothing. But this time around you people came and within this short period you have delivered.

“Our children can even learn from their beds. And we can access medical care through this digital hospital.

“The project has revived the peoples confidence in the present administration, and the villagers will take advantage of the projects to improve their living standards and businesses,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba