From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has commended some state governors in Nigeria for approving N145 per liner right-of-way charge in their various states.
According to a press statement by the Executive Secretary of ATCON Ajibola Olude; Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor, Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, Executive Governor, Imo State and their respective State Houses of Assembly approved implementation of the approved right of way price from a very exorbitant price to an industry and investment friendly price of N145 per liner meter approved by the Federal Government.
“ATCON also appreciated the states for considering its letter which was sent to them in the beginning of the year recommending that telecom and ICT infrastructure must be seen and treated as a component of development in their respective states.
“With this move by the governors, their leadership has attested to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective state is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development which has been one of the bases of our advocacy initiatives”.
The release also marshaled out some of the benefits that are accruable to states that adopted and implemented the harmonized Right-of-Way price which include Unlocking of the inherent digital potential of these states. It said the States are set to enjoy and maximize the opportunity that pervasive broadband penetration can offer as the people of these States can now leverage on uninterrupted telecommunications services which they have not been enjoying before now. It further statwd that the reason for this is that telecom infrastructure would give them the opportunity to express their gifts and talents.
Other benefits according to ATCON, also include fast paced development enabled by robust Telecom and ICT Infrastructure, adding that the direct multiplier effect of the pragmatic executive order is that these States will experience a noticeable development both in the private and public sector which is expected to push the revenue of these states forward and it will also make companies that do not have presence in these states to consider opening a branch in the state which will lead to employment generation thereby reducing rural-urban migration.
ATCON said “We use this opportunity to advise those States that have not implemented the approved the harmonized Right-of-Way price of N145 per liner meter to take a clue from these States and together telecom and ICT infrastructure will speed up the needed development in Nigeria.
“We deeply appreciate the governors and House of Assemblies of these States for making their respective States a strategic partner of our initiative to ensure that all states in Nigeria have pervasive network coverage and seamless access”.
