The newly sworn in Commissioner for Communication, Science and Technology in Bayelsa, Engr. Gibson Munalayefa, has said that his primary focus will be to develop the state’s tech ecosystem to be attractive to investors.
He also said the government would consider building world-class Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) centres in the three Senatorial Districts to empower youths with relevant skills for them to compete globally.
The centres he said will complement the state ICT village in Yenagoa, thereby curbing rural-urban migration for those willing to pursue a career in ICT.
Engr. Munalayefa, who disclosed this on Monday when he officially resumed as the Ministry’s helmsman, explained that there is a need to take advantage of the numerous opportunities in ICT to build the capacity of youths and create self-employment.
A statement from the Ministry, quoted the Commissioner to have also hinted his readiness to engage top tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and other indigenous outfits to secure strategic partnerships to fulfill the government’s plan for the sector.
According to him, in addition to building the ICT centres, there will be series of organised international and local training sessions and courses that will be of great benefit to participants from the state.
He stated that such certification programmes will further boost the chances of youths to become web designers, database analysts, security and networking analysts, mobile application developers, e-marketing, and digital specialists, among others.
The Commissioner noted that the long-time plan is to export Bayelsa youths to other countries to unleash their potential while also attracting investors and increasing the state’s income.
He said, “I’m here to deliver the vision of His Excellency, by using this Ministry to create technology entrepreneurs that we can export. Also, we want to have viable start-ups, tech hubs, and other digital outfits that will help develop the capacity of our youths and make them employable.
“We have plans to build ICT centers in the three Senatorial Zones, so we will not have everyone coming to Yenagoa to cluster. The centres when approved by His Excellency, will be fully equipped, and we will have very experienced resource persons to run them professionally. It will complement the ICT village that is already being built in Yenagoa.
“Look at India today. The huge investment they made in ICT is paying off. The size of their ICT market is estimated at almost $300 billion this year. We can attempt to create that in Bayelsa by starting from somewhere and growing with time.”
He thanked Governor Douye Diri for the appointment and assured that he would work assiduously in line with the Prosperity Agenda to achieve the vision of the governor.
