The Anambra State government has adduced reasons it decided to implement zero right of way for broadband to drive digital adoption, despite the recommendation by the National Economic Council in 2020 for the state to charge N145 per linear metre.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata “CFA”,, who gave the reasons during a chat with ICT Journalists in Lagos today, said the move is in line with the ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of the Governor.
According to him, the ICT Agency working in partnership with GICL, has deployed about 200 kilometers of fibre optic cables under the first phase of the Anambra State Broadband Initiative, targeted at Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government (MDAs), schools and other clusters.
Mr. Agbata said that Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has demonstrated huge interest in deploying modern strategies to eliminate bottlenecks to digital access, by reversing infrastructure decline in the State.
He said this will boost WiFi Hotspot rollout to Government offices, schools and communities to diversify the economy, leveraging digital services for eGovernment, commerce, education and innovation.
The ICT Agency boss added that the implementation of the Right of Way charges removal by the State Government is the first step to a digital economy that will encourage key investors, innovators, and businesses to the state.
“His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has always demonstrated determination to turn Anambra State into a digitally driven economy. The broadband drive is one of the many ways to do it and at the same time, it connects to other plans. Yes, because without connectivity eGovernment programmes would become a mirage”.
“Africa’s digital landscape is changing at a rapid rate and Anambra State is no different. The Governor approved the implementation of the zero charges on Right of Way because he understands the benefits are enormous. We are partnering with GICL which is giving us a lot of connectivity capacity that we are hopeful will leapfrog the State’s digital economy agenda.
“This will power the Governor’s lodge and by extension, a local government and a university, as pilot”.
Mr. Agbata also said the Agency has continued to standardize the State Government’s Digital Assets by moving all Government websites to www.anambrastate.gov.ng.
On this, he said “The Agency has initiated a Statewide migration of all Government assets to the Internet domain name anambrastate.gov.ng.
“Prior to the Soludo administration, Government digital assets were scattered all over the Internet, with different domain names and on different servers.
“Today, most MDAs have been brought under the standard domain anambrastate.gov.ng in line with Federal Government policies”, amongst other achievements.
