Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), a department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has asked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for help in developing state-of-the-art satellite towns worthy of a federal capital.
The call was made recently by STDD Coordinator Obinna Ogwuegbu, who was leading an 11-man team on a courtesy call to the Commission in Abuja.
The major goal of the visit, according to Ogwuegbu, was to update NCC management on the development agency’s progress on its mandate and to gain NCC’s support in assuring the provision of telecoms infrastructure in satellite towns.
“The STDD is a Government Establishment operating under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, with a mandate to develop the Satellite Towns of the Federal Capital Territory by providing engineering infrastructure to the Satellite Towns, such as district infrastructure, rural/link roads, water and electricity supply, environmental sanitation, and town planning,” he explained.
He stated that the NCC, as the telecoms regulator, will be asked to assist STDD in the development and distribution of telecoms/engineering infrastructure across satellite towns via its licensees and other efforts.
In response to the request, Usman Malah, NCC’s Director Human Capital and Administration, who met with the STDD delegation on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the Commission remains fully committed to ensuring synergy in its working relationships with other government agencies.
According to Malah, the Commission recognized the importance of STDD requirements and was aware of the role NCC is meant to play in guaranteeing ubiquitous access to telecoms services, whether in cities, unserved and underserved areas, or satellite towns.
While thanking the group for their visit, Malah noted that their concerns and proposals will be given to Management for consideration and appropriate action, according to Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC.
