The Cross River State in Nigeria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese tech giant Huawei to roll out 3G and 4G network across Calabar city. In the understanding, Huawei is also expected to lay down fibre optic cable to homes.
Present during the inking of this contract at the government house in Calabar was the State Governor Ben Ayade who said he was excited by the deal. An agreement that will see the digitization of Calabar and by extension the entire Cross River State. He zeroed in on the benefits constituents will get from the availability of affordable Wi-Fi services.
“This will be the first time that data would be provided from the cloud. With this digital cloud, it will offer opportunity to get information with ease and comfort, including boosting research and academic works,” said Ayade.
“The project is in partnership with Huawei of China, the equipment manufacturer, and Sino Infrastructure Development Company Limited, as the technical partner in Nigeria for the project. This partnership will provide cheap access to connectivity. Cross Riverians will know that Huawei is bringing the best technology to us. They are a known name in the world and a pace setter in the industry. Cross River deserves only the best which they have to offer.”
The entire Cross River State is set to go digital once the super highway is complete, as users of the road will be provided with one of the best internet and technology services available in the country.
The Commissioner for ICT, Chief Offu Aya said in a statement, “You have taken us to China to appreciate what Huawei has done in that country, a country with about 1.7 billion people, and how Huawei has turned China into a huge smart city and we have come back with a detailed report. Today is a very unique day for the ministry, as before the carnival, the pilot scheme will be ready where there will be free Wi-Fi services. This will make Calabar the first smart city in Nigeria, it will benefit Cross Riverians and Nigerians as it will make communication faster and easier.”
Their counterpart, the Managing Director of Sino Infrastructure Development Company, Li Yamping, said, “Huawei and the Cross River Government will work as technical partners on the project and will both maintain the required standard and deliver as at when due.”
