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Vee-Pee Abubakar Laments Poor ICT Use in Africa

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Vanguard (Lagos)

February 23, 2005
Posted to the web February 23, 2005

Abuja

VICE President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lamented over the poor Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in Africa, saying that Africa has only 2.5% of the world's telephone lines penetration despite having about 13% of the world population.

He then revealed that African governments, aimed at accelerating ICT development in Africa, have established an e-Africa Commission.

The Vice President who was speaking at the Opening ceremony of Afrinet (Africa Internet Summit and Exhibition) 2005, in Abuja yesterday told the gathering of Africa ICT family that the poor telephony problem of Africa means that telephone lines penetration is roughly 3 per 1000 inhabitants.

"The ratio contrast with roughly 12, 35 and 37 for Asia, North America and Europe respectively," he observed.

Speaking on e-Africa Commission, Abubakar said that the commission would provide a submarine Fibre Optic linking East African countries and a Broadband Fibre Optic links from landlocked countries to Submarine Cable landing stations to connect all 54 African countries with the rest of the world.

"The commission would also develop a rationale system of terrestrial Fibre Optic cables that provide an economical, robust network and establish an e-Learning project.

The e-Learning Project according to him is in association with African Virtual University which would result in the transformation of all primary and secondary schools in Africa into e-Schools by 20015.

He described the e-Schools Initiative as being the most vital as it would produce generations of Africans well equipped to face the demand of the global Information Society.

According to the Vice President, a Digital Solidarity Fund would also be established for Africa for the Mobilisation of resources to support cash-strapped African Countries..

The Minister of Communication, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, in his speech noted the poor ICT infrastructure in Africa but opined that Africa has a great potential for growth.

He said that Africa can use the vast opportunities provided for by ICT do develop its people in al ramification life, and then call for unified ICT policy in the region.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El- Ruffai in his remarks, informed the gathering that the master plan for the creation of Nigeria's Silicon Valley Village in Abuja, has been completed and that the model of the Village would soon be displayed to the public.

He then encouraged investors to take advantage of the 7 million residents of the FCT and invest in Abuja.

The Vice President Abubakar then launched the Common Market for ECOWAS Countries Project and later went round some of the Exhibition stands.

The three day Conference would end on Friday.

Original URL - http://allafrica.com/stories/200502230594.html