The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has applauded Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, Executive Governor of Imo State 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.
Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) disclosed this in a statement made available to NigeriaCommunicationsWeek on Thursday, in Lagos.
According to Teniola, “ATCON is 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.
“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.”
The ATCON President further noted that some of the benefits that are accruable to states that adopted and implemented the harmonized Right-of-Way price cannot be overemphasized.
He said states that adopted and implemented the harmonized Right-of-Way price, will inadvertently be unlocking the inherent digital potential of their states, this he said would enable them 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.
Teniola added that the implementation of the executive order would hasten development of robust Telecom and ICT Infrastructure, which would necessitated direct multiplier effect on these States as well as ensuring 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.
He called on 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.
“Once again, we deeply appreciate the governors and House of Assemblies of these States for making their respective States a strategic partner of our initiative to ensure that all states in Nigeria have pervasive network coverage and seamless access,” he concluded.