The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), on Thursday commended Governors and Houses of Assemby of Imo and Ekiti states for the implementation of the approved Right-of-Way (ROW) price.
Ajibola Olude, Secretary of the Association, gave the commendation in a statement in Lagos.
He hailed the orders issued by Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Ekiti Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo.
The association noted that both states had approved right of way price from a high 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 leaderships have attested to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective states is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development which has been one of the basis of our advocacy initiatives,” he said.
He, however, stated that some of the benefits that are accruable to states that adopted and implemented the harmonised ROW price will unlock the inherent digital potential of the states.
He said that such states were set to enjoy and maximise the opportunity that pervasive broadband penetration could offer as their people could now leverage on uninterrupted telecommunications services which were not enjoyed before.
“The reason for this is that telecom infrastructure would give them the opportunity to express their gifts and talents.
“Fast pace 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 sectors.
He added that it would push the revenue of the states forward.
“It will also make companies that do not have presence in these states to consider opening a branch in the states which will lead to employment generation thereby reducing rural-urban migration,” he said.
ATCON, therefore, advised other states yet to implement the approved harmonised ROW price of N145 per liner meter to take a cue from these states, to enable telecom and ICT infrastructure to speed up the needed development in Nigeria.
