According to Balogun (2000), GSM
facilitates economic development as it provides easy and effective
communication need to stimulate and promote trade between Nigeria and its
foreign partners in the world. Even at home, it play a cynical role in
communicating government programmes thereby linking to entire sector of the
economy together in order to achieve a common goal. Above all it encourages investment
which in the long run promotes employment opportunities.
At microeconomic
level, the sector contributes to GDP
increased by 53% in 2003 making it the third highest contributor above of the
financial sector which has been in operation for
about 100 years. In respect of
employment, over 200,000 persons have been directly and indirectly employed by
the operators and their distribution chain components while industries support
service sectors like banking, insurance, consultancies, shipping and IT as well
as the small and medium scale enterprises (SIM) segment of the economy have
also witnessed very significant levels of increased activity.
According
to a report in Nigeria Tribute Newspaper of July 16, 2004, government treasury has been
boasted by payment of over 200 billion naira in taxes and levies. National
productivity has also been enhanced as travel times and associated risks have
been reduced. Business communications improve and the rural-urban migration
narrowed down. Social and family relationship and the security situation have
also been significantly enhanced.