The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday in Abuja met with the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The meeting, it was disclosed is a follow-up to discussions on how to address the issue of Right of Way (RoW) and other similar challenges confronting the telecoms industry.
Recall that 14 state governors and their agencies increased Right of Way charges, which is pegged at N145 per linear metre by the Federal Government. The states, according to reports are Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Ondo, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Kebbi and Gombe.
This drew the ire of various stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology sector, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami. In a statement signed by the Minister, he described the action of these governors as an affront and disregards to an earlier resolution reached by the National Economic Council (NEC).
He noted in that statement that he has written to all the State Governors in October 2019, drawing their attention to the resolutions earlier reached and soliciting their support and collaboration towards the realisation of the National Digital Economy, wondering why some state governors went ahead to increase Right of Way charges.
Also, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), condemned the hike in Right of Way charges, describing the governors’ action as an unnecessary move that will be counterproductive and slow down broadband development in the States.
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