Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Following implementation of the Right of Way (RoW) by Governors of Kaduna, Imo, Katsina and Plateau, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has expressed delight over the strides that have been made by the Governors of these States.
According to a document from the Federal Ministry of Finance and Digital Economy, the RoW charges in these States have either been pegged at a maximum of N145 per linear metre or waived altogether.
The RoW charges in Kaduna State, the document said it has been completely waived, while the charges in Katsina, Plateau and Imo States have been pegged at a maximum of N145 per linear metre.
It was also disclosed that on the 20th of May 2020, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State signed Executive Order No. 002, 2020, significantly reducing Right of Way (RoW) of telecommunication companies in the state from N4,500 to N145 per meter in tandem with federal government policy.
The Minister, said the actions of the Governors are truly commendable as they also aligned with the resolution of the State Governors under the auspices of the Governors’ Forum to address the lingering issue of Right of Way (RoW) charges in a bid to deepen broadband penetration in the country and promote a Digital Economy for a Digital Nigeria.
At that meeting, the Executive Governors to adopted the 2013 resolutions reached by the National Economic Council (NEC) which agreed on a maximum RoW charge of N145 per linear meter of fibre.
The Minister said implementing this resolution will go a long way in implementing the National Broadband Plan (NBP) which was launched by the President Muhammadu Buhari early this year.
He revealed that an increase in broadband access will have a positive impact on the economy of the various States as well as the entire country, explaining further that one of the key benefits is the rapid growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of any country that increases its broadband penetration.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important broadband is in supporting economies around the world.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy therefore congratulates and commends the Executive Governors of Kaduna, Imo, Katsina and Plateau States for these very important actions. ” We would like to encourage other Executive Governors to do the same in order to support the development of our digital economy, facilitate digital literacy and accelerate broadband penetration across the country. This will also improve our Domestic Product Gross (GDP)”.
