2019 Budget: FG to build digital economy around technology, creative sectors – Buhari

Federal Government intends to build a digital economy around the technology and creative sectors to create jobs for young people, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja.

The President said this while presenting the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget at a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja.

He said the digital economy would be in partnership with states and the private sector, stressing that “Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the digital age.

“Modern up-to-date infrastructure is particularly important to boost economic activities.

“We are working on a project to increase broadband penetration across all geographical zones of the country.

“We are hoping that over the next four years, the 774 local government areas in the country will be provided with fibre connectivity, “he said.

Buhari said that government also planned to exploit comparative advantages of the six geo-political zones and the 36 states of the federation by establishing six industrial parks.

The president said government would establish 109 special production and processing centres across senatorial zones, including shared facilities.

He explained that “Every Child Counts’’, adding that the government guiding principle in national educational system entailed far reaching actions to boost digital literacy.

Buhari said such move would impart functional skills on children and retrain thousands of teachers, stressing that the was need for government to equip children with modern era skills.

“Indeed, we must equip our children from young age with skills for modern era by emphasising education in science, technology,engineering, arts and mathematics.’’

The President said the 2019 budget had benefitted from extensive consultations and stakeholder engagements “to reflect our belief that all sectors have critical role to play in our journey toward sustainable and inclusive development.

“It demonstrates our commitment to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians, in a more inclusive manner. It also represents another important step in building the Nigeria of our dreams.’’

He, therefore, called for the support of Nigerians to achieve the desired goals’

According to Buhari, it is evident over the past years that more can be achieved in the overall interest of the Nigerian people if all work together.

Our correspondent reports that the 2019 Appropriation Bill is now before NASS for consideration and passage.