The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has highlighted some steps it has taken so far to support the deployment of infrastructure in Nigeria by all the licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCo)
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the telecom regulator said it is reviewing the InfraCos framework and funding options. Thus, has constituted a committee recommend sustainable funding options for effective implementation of the proposed national fibre project.
The setting up of the committee, according to the statement was sequel to the requirements of the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025) and reports of relevant committees set up by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which include the Inter-Ministerial Review Committee on Multiple Taxation on Telecommunications Operators over Right-of-Way (RoW) and the Technical Sub-Committee on Right-of-Way for Deepening Broadband Penetration in Nigeria.
These requirements and reports relate to the imperative of reviewing the InfraCo framework to cater for the delays in take-off, change in exchange rate, supply chain and other challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement disclosed that the committee has met with all the six licensed InfraCos as well as the preferred bidder for the North Central zone.
“The Committee is also looking at the challenges facing the InfraCo project, the need for accelerated deployment of fibre infrastructure, means of mitigating the exorbitant RoW charges, among others.
“The Commission is also working actively with the Broadband Implementation Steering Committee (BISC), as constituted by the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy based on the recommendations and requirements of the NNBP 2020-2025.
“Providing updates on the status of the InfraCo project in his office in Abuja at the weekend, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said: “The InfraCo project is dear to the government because of its ability to enhance robust and pervasive broadband infrastructure to drive service availability, accessibility and affordability,” part of the statement reads.
The statement also quoted the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta to have said the Commission is keen on ensuring the project delivers maximum benefits for the economy at large and that is why the ongoing review is very critical to the overall success of the project in line with the new realities of the time.
