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The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has expressed gratitude to state governors who have already slashed right of way (RoW) charges by more than 3000% percent from N4,500 to N145 per linear metre in their respective states.
“We are pleased to commend the recent pragmatic Executive Orders issued by Dr Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor, Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, Executive Governor, Imo State and their respective State House of Assemblies for the implementation of the approved right of way price from a very exorbitant price to an industry and investment friendly price of N145 per liner meter approved by the Federal Government,” said Olusola Teniola, president of the ATCON, in statement issued in Lagos.
ATCON is the umbrella body for all ICT operators including network owners in Nigeria.
He added: “ATCON also appreciates these states for considering its letter which was sent to them in 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.
“With this move by the governors, their leadership have attested to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective state is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development which has been one of the basis of our advocacy initiatives.”
According to ATCON, “some of the benefits that are accruable to states that adopted and implemented the harmonized Right-of-Way price are as follows:
- Unlocking of the inherent digital potential of these states-: these States are set to enjoy and maximize the opportunity that pervasive broadband penetration can offer as the people of these States can now leverage on uninterrupted telecommunications services which they have not been enjoying before now. The reason for this is that telecom infrastructure would give them the opportunity to express their gifts and talents.
- 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 presence in these states to consider opening a branch in the state which will lead to employment generation thereby reducing rural-urban migration.”
Teniola urged other states that have not implemented the “approved harmonized right-of-Way price of N145 per liner meter to take a clue from these states and together telecom and ICT infrastructure will speed up the needed development in Nigeria.”
