By Juliet Umeh
LEAD promoter of Legacy of Traditions and BINI RIVA Life, Nere Emiko, has called for accelerated digital connectivity in Nigeria’s riverine communities, describing telecommunications infrastructure as essential for improving education, healthcare, security, financial inclusion and economic development.
Emiko made the appeal while highlighting the Federal Government’s Riverine Connect Initiative, a sub-project of the National Universal Communication Access Project, NUCAP, aimed at extending digital services to remote riverine settlements through the planned deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers.According to him, the initiative has the potential to transform communities that have remained disconnected from Nigeria’s digital economy for decades. Citing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Emiko said the project is designed to bridge connectivity gaps, strengthen local economies, improve emergency response, expand access to education and healthcare, and promote inclusive participation in the digital economy.
He noted that many riverine communities still face serious infrastructure challenges, including poor telecommunications, unreliable electricity and costly water transportation, factors that have discouraged investment and limited access to essential services.
