The Minister of Communicalions and Digital Econonıy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is delightcd to hear about the strides made by Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Hope Uzodinma, Aminu Masari and Simon Lalong of Kaduna, Imo, Katsina and Plateau states with respect to Right of Way (RoW) charges.
The RoW charges have been waived completely in Kaduna and pegged at a maximum of N145 per linear metre in Katsina, Plateau and Imo states.
On the 20th of May 2020, Governor Hope Uzodimma of lmo State signed Execuive Order No, D02. 2020, “signiticantly reducing Right of Way (RoW) of telecommunication companies in the state from N4,5O0 to N145 per meter in tandem with federal govcrnment policy.
“The actions of the governors are truly commendable. They also align with
the resolution ot the State Governors under the auspices ot the Governors Forum on the 22nd of January 2020 to address the lingering issue of Right of Way (RoW) charges in a bid to deepen bradband penetration in the country and promore a Digilal Economy ror a Digital Nigera.
“At that meeting the Executive Governors had resolved to adopt the 2013 resolutions reached by the National Economic Council (NEC) which agreed on maximum RoW charge of N145 per linear meter of fiber. Implementing this resolution will go a long way in implementing the National Broadband Plan (NBP) which was launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. on the 19th of March 2020.
“An inerease in broadband access will have a positive impacl on the economy of the various States as well as the entire coumtry. One of the key benefits is the rapid growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of any country that increases its broadband penctration. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important broadband is around the world in supporting economies.”
The minister encouraged other governors to do the same in order to support the development of Nigeria’s digital economy, facilitate digital literacy and accelerate broadband penctration across the counury. “This will also improve our Gross Domestic Product (CGDP).”
