In a bid to boost broadband penetration in the South-Eastern States, the Anambra State Government has decided to convene a stakeholders’ forum with the theme: “Facilitating Broadband Access in Anambra State through a Favourable Right of Way Regime”.
The forum is scheduled to hold on March 30, 2021, at 02:00 pm (West African Time); with Federal and State Government officials, members of diplomatic corps, investors, industry associations and other are expected participants.
This is coming after the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Chief Willie Obiano, had in June 2020 waived the charges for Right of Way (RoW) for fibre optic cable deployment from N600 per linear meter to Zero Naira.
The waiver was part of the State Integrated “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative”, which serves as a tactical move to reverse infrastructure decline in urban and semi-urban areas, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, leveraging digital services for commerce, education, innovation, manufacturing and eGoverment.
In a statement sent to ITPulse, the Chairman/Managing Director, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barr. Chike Maduekwe, said the forum is in line with the strategy of the Anambra state government to create a robust and sustainable digital economy for the State.
“A subset of the “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative” is the “Broadband Infrastructure Development programme”, which seeks to deploy modern physical planning strategies to eliminate bottlenecks to digital access within the State, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, while leveraging digital services for commercial education, innovation, manufacturing and e-Government,” he said.
He added that Anambra State recognizes the stakeholders’ immense impact in and contributions to the Nigerian telecommunications industry and their remarkable roles to facilitate broadband access, either at policy development or investment levels. Anambra State is ready for broadband infrastructure investments.
“Anambra State Government has drawn inspiration from the Federal Government’s efforts and initiatives but also recognizes that it needs the support of players in the ecosystem, for the success of its broadband rollout programme in the State. We envisage that high-level involvement and participation in our planned Stakeholders’ Forum is a critical first step in this direction”, he explained further.