Telecom industry advocacy group, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has applauded the government of Ekiti and Imo State for implementation of the N145 per liner meter approved right of way price.
The Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had last week in an Executive Order slashed the Right of Way charges from N4, 500 to N145 per liner meter, which was approved by the Federal Government. The Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, did the same yesterday.
In a statement signed by ATCON’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Ajibola Olude, the umbrella body of all telecom operators in Nigeria, noted that with this move by the governors, their leadership has attested to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective state is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development.
It also appreciates the two states for considering its letter which was sent to them at the beginning of the year recommending that telecom and ICT infrastructure must be seen and treated as a component of development in their respective states.
According to ATCON, states that have adopted and implemented the harmonized Right-of-Way price will unlock the inherent digital potential of the states, stressing that the people of these States can now leverage on uninterrupted telecommunications services which they have not been enjoying before now.
“The benefits that will accrue to these states are enormous. Telecom infrastructure would give them the opportunity to express their gifts and talents. There will be fast-paced of development enabled by robust Telecom and ICT Infrastructure-: the direct multiplier effect of this pragmatic executive order is that these States will experience a noticeable development both in the private and public sector which is expected to push the revenue of these states forward and it will also make companies that do not have a presence in these states to consider opening a branch in the state which will lead to employment generation thereby reducing rural-urban migration,” the statement explained.
While urging other states that are yet to implement the approved harmonized Right-of-Way price of N145 per liner meter, ATCON stated that telecom and ICT infrastructure will speed up the needed development in Nigeria.