The Havel Corporate Concept, an affiliate of ioSafe Nigeria, has announced its support for Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in transforming Abuja into a smart city. Dr. Ahmed Badanga, CEO of the group and convener of the Abuja Smart City Project, made this declaration following a roadwalk in Abuja on Monday.
The roadwalk was organized to raise awareness among Abuja residents about the upcoming Nigeria Expo Conference and the unveiling of the Strategic Road Map for the Abuja Smart City Project. Dr. Badanga praised Minister Wike’s investments in infrastructure development and other sectors, which are rapidly enhancing the city’s status as a befitting capital.
“Beyond infrastructure, we need technology to drive the city and make access to critical services automated and smart,” Dr. Badanga emphasized. The Abuja Smart City Project, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to enhance 40 services, including governance, transport, tourism, health, business, and residential areas.
Scheduled for July 23, the conference will focus on leveraging data to transform Abuja into a smart city, impacting all six Area Councils. “Abuja has the necessary infrastructure to become smart like other global cities,” Dr. Badanga stated.
“The essence of tomorrow’s discussion is to bring stakeholders together to unveil the strategic roadmap for the smart city project. This roadmap will outline our plans to make Abuja a smart city, comparable to the best in the world,” he added. The project, set to be delivered in phases from 2024 to 2040, envisions transforming Abuja into a technologically driven city like Dubai and Hong Kong by 2040.
Key partners in the project’s implementation include Galaxy Backbone, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission, and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are also crucial collaborators.
Mr. Robb Moore, founder of ioSafe Nigeria, expressed his enthusiasm for the project during his first visit to Abuja. “We are excited to talk about smart cities and smart data at the conference and how to make Abuja and Nigeria grow,” he said. “I will share my experiences from Silicon Valley on growing companies and using technology to strengthen Nigeria.”
Mr. Sunday Ichedi, Director of the Communication and Public Relations Department at NBS, emphasized the critical role of data in the project’s success. He assured that NBS is committed to providing all necessary data for the initiative.
Mr. Johnson Oke, Head of ICT at FCDA, highlighted the authority’s pivotal role in automating infrastructural development and municipal services. “Developed countries drive their services and infrastructure through the smart city initiative, and we aim to do the same in Abuja,” Oke stated.
The collaboration between Havel Corporate Concept, ioSafe Nigeria, and various federal and local agencies promises to propel Abuja into a future where technology seamlessly integrates with daily life, creating a smart city that serves all its residents efficiently and effectively.
