The Benue State government has approved the establishment, funding and management of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company Limited (BDICL) as a special purpose vehicle company for the State Government on Public-Private Partnership with Gamint Corporation Ltd to invest in the business of ICT and digital infrastructure services for the state.
Executive Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia made this declaration on Monday, while inaugurating an 8-man implementation committee for the ICT project in the state at the Exco Hall of Government House, Makurdi.
Represented by his Deputy, Sam Ode, the Governor said the partnership is aimed at “driving the State Government’s investment into ICT infratructure business; locally and internationally and to serve as a digital economy infrastruture services provider, automation digitalization for all MDAs and generate revenue for the state”.
He added that this establishment and management of Benue Digital Economy Hub in all the MDAs and the 23 local government areas of the state, will create employment and digital skills for the youth, increase state GDP and connect Benue State to the global digital world.
Governor Alia further said that BDICL would foster collaboration for national and international business access to Benue State products and services to other states and countries of the world while creating new training and skills with global job access for 100,000 Benue youths.
While charging members of the implementation committee to work assiduously for the overall success of the programme, the Governor noted that Benue youth will fully benefit from the ICT project as “service aggregators using their smart devices for the services digitalized by the company across the state”.
With the approval of BDICL by the state government, and inauguration of members of the implementation committee by the Governor, Benue has again made history as the first state in Nigeria to establish a Digital Infrastructure Platform since the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy launched a National Policy on Digital Economy Development Strategy in 2019 with a comprehensive policy framework that outlines the country’s plan to leverage on digital technologies to drive economy growth, create jobs, and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.
Members of the implementation committee include, Benue State Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, as Chairman, while Paul Biam, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice & Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim; Commissioner for Communication and Digital Economy, Hon. Kwaghgba Amande; Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Denis Akura; Hon. Livinus Tsar, Mr. Terwase Gbande, CEO of Gamint Ltd will serve as members, and Hon. Lawrence Ogwuche, Principal Private Secretary to the Deputy Governor is the secretary.
