Abuja – Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated an 18- member National Addressing System (NAS) Council of which he is the Chairman.
The council is to “make guidelines and provide strategic direction for the National Addressing System” and “ensure that the policy is revised as at when due, to align with the new technologies, policy objectives and socio-economic realities”.
Members of the Council are the ministers of Communications; Works, Power and Housing; Finance; National Planning; Interior; Justice/Attorney-General of the Federation; Federal Capital Territory; National Security Adviser; and representatives of the governors of the six geo-political zones.
The governors are Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia (South-East); Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State (North-East); Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State (North-West); Yahaya Bello of Kogi (North-Central); Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (South-West); and Nyesom Wike of Rivers (South-South).
Other members are chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria; two members from the Organised Private Sector; and the Postmaster-General/CEO of NIPOST.
Osinbajo said the inauguration offered added proof of the administration’s commitment to putting in place an enabling environment for business in Nigeria, enabling the digital economy and achieving sustainable and diversified economic growth.
He said ‘’every step like this that we take to improve national infrastructure, whether it is hard infrastructure like roads, rail and power, or soft infrastructure like a National Addressing System, is a giant leap forward.’’
Osinbajo explained that the leap was in terms of unlocking additional economic potential across multiple sectors of the economy.
“With the National Addressing System in place, we will be able to identify every building and every household using a distinct and easy-to-interpret address,’’ he said.
Osinbajo noted that the system would ensure efficient mail delivery, facilitation of e-commerce, disaster management and national security. due to proper identification of buildings.
“A functional addressing system will also provide a much needed backbone of the roll-out of new technology, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), applications and equipment,’’ he stated.
Osinbajo admitted that the establishment of a National Addressing System for the country was long overdue and for that reason, ‘’should be seen not as an end, but a beginning, a start of a journey we should have begun long ago.
“There is absolutely no time for dwelling on self-congratulations. Instead, we must acknowledge the amount of work that still lies ahead to implement a functioning system.
“This implementation will not happen without the active collaboration of the federal, state and local governments.
“I urge all stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach to ensure the implementation succeeds, and that Nigeria speedily partakes of the social and economic benefits of having a system in place.’’
Osinbajo enjoined the council members to fully understand their assigned roles and to strive to fulfil them with the dedication, urgency and cooperation required as their contributions would immensely boost national growth and development.
He used the opportunity to challenge NIPOST, the key driver of the National Addressing System, not to relent in its efforts to re-position for the 21st century.
“I am aware of the ambitious targets you have set for yourselves.
“Indeed, you have before you, an opportunity to make your presence felt in the lives of tens of millions of ordinary Nigerians who require efficient and cost effective postal and financial services.
“And to demonstrate that government agencies can be as innovative and as responsive in service delivery as the best of the private sector.
“There is no doubt that the new Nigeria we envision will be built on these new standards and ways of doing things, especially in the public sector,’’ he added.(NAN)
