The Honorable Minister, Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has said that the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) is crucial to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda as a holistic approach to reshaping Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
He made the statement during the opening ceremony of the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) Workshop to review and harmonize the National Geoinformation Policy and NGDI Bill, organized by NASRDA, at the Hawthorn Suites, in Abuja.
The Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser on technical matters, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, emphasized that the harmonization of the bill can potentially ensure accessible healthcare, education, and housing and establish a robust national security framework to effectively combat terrorism, and violent extremism.
He, however, urged all participants to commit to enhancing geospatial data availability for national planning by streamlining existing data sets and minimizing resource waste.
Also speaking at the event, the Honorable Minister Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, emphasized the need for integration, innovation and knowledge sharing amongst stakeholders in the geospatial industry.
He encouraged stakeholders to examine how to improve the utilization of geospatial infrastructure tools, as it is common practice in most countries and should be in Nigeria as well.
Sen. Bagudu who alluded to the Oronsaye report, which proposed the merging of institutions for the benefit of resource sharing, echoed the need for relevant stakeholders to adopt the spirit of cooperation amongst themselves, which will contribute significantly to the advancement of geoinformation policies, essential for sustainable development, innovation, and governance.
While delivering his welcome address the Chief host and Director General National Space Research and Development Agency NASRDA, Dr. Halilu Shaba said that one of the vital objectives of the workshop is to develop a revised harmonized policy framework, operational strategies and processes for sustainable growth of an efficient NGDI ecosystem.
According to him, spatially enabled societies help tackle both global and local issues, such as climate change, population growth, economic globalisation, security risks, congestion, and the depletion of natural resources.
He, however, admonished participants to identify and strengthen the capacity of policymakers and policy advocates to operationalize and institutionalize guidelines and frameworks for the Geoinformation Policy.
The workshop had in attendance Ministers of the Federal Republic, Members of the House of Representatives, and Heads and captains of industries, ranging from Public to private sector.
Below are some sights from the event
Ninma Yacim, Media and Corporate Communications.
