Right of Way still a major challenge to broadband penetration – Pantami
- Law on the way to address challenges – Nwokoro
- Multiple taxation, major issue – Segun Ogunsanya
- We need cheaper data regime – Lalong
- We are waiving taxes – AbdulRazak
Emmanuel Ukudolo l Friday, August 14, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – Right of way (RoW) remains a major challenge to broadband penetration in Nigeria and implementation of the National Broad Band Plan, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami has said.
The minister who was speaking on the subject, Right of Way Reforms, unlocking Nigeria’s digital economy during the Nigerian Technical Conference on Right of Way and issuance of permit said the intervention of the Ministry after a meeting with the Chairman, Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and relevant stakeholders has brought down cost to a maximum of N145 per linear metre from N16,000 and N4,000 which was the case.
The minister advised telecommunications operators who receive demands in excess of what has been agreed with the governors to bring it to the attention of the ministry. Pantami noted that effective broadband implementation will create wealth for Nigeria and that 10 percent broadband penetration would bring about a 6 percent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In dealing with the challenges, Pantami revealed that some governors have been very exceptional, alluding to Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulAzeez AbdulRahman and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai that have waived charges on RoW. He equally commended Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Feyemi for his efforts in resolving issues in RoW and the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who has already accented to legislation on RoW as a result of the peculiar situation in the South-East.
He commended agencies under the ministry, NIPOST, NCC, NITDA and other stakeholders for their contributions in raising broadband penetration from less than 3 percent to about 4 percent in less than one year.
The Minister alluded to statistics revealed by South African ITU, which put the worth of digital economy at USD 11.5 trillion as far back as 2005, adding that by 2022, 80 percent of global economy will be digital.
This trend, he noted accounted for his decision to propose re-designation of the ministry of communication as Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, approved and launched by President Muhammadu Buhari. He said the ministry came up with the National Broadband Plan when it kicked off implementation of the President’s agenda for digital economy.
Speaking earlier during the Technical Conference on Right of Way and Issuance of Permit, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing CB said the technical conference was put together to deepen policy policy and regulatory framework on RoW and issuance of permit. She explained that technology has transformed the way we live our lives and thanked the Ministry for pioneering initiative in the sector which she said is good for Nigeria and the world.
Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing CB said the British Government is here to support Nigerian economy and provide opportunities for British business. On contribution of the British Government so far, the British High Commissioner said it now has a techhub in Nigeria as part of efforts to take digital skills to the communities. Besides, she explained that the British Government is working with research innovators for the benefit of Nigeria to support Nigeria’s digital economy.
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In his presentation, the technical consultant, Osondu C. Nwokoro described the maximum charge of N145 per linear metre for RoW as a win-win situation for everyone and higher revenue for Nigeria.
He noted that a few states have actually reverted to the N145 per linear metre for RoW adding that the situation has attracted investment in Oodua Infraco Resources Ltd. He said Plateau State now want to build the largest Techhub in Nigeria.
He expressed disappointment that while the rates have come down, telecommunication companies are not responding as expected. He explained that in the U.K, RoW is free, while India and South Africa have a one stop shop for Row with a proviso that rates must be reasonable. He also alluded to what is operational in Philippines with regards to ease of doing business with regards to RoW.
His summation is that fundamental reforms require cooperation of all stakeholders. Osondu Nwokoro advised governors and relevant stakeholders to push for a one stop shop approval process, noting that while a draft legislation is underway, cohesion is necessary for things to work out fine.
Responding to the presentation, Managing Director of Airtel, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya reminded the consultant and stakeholders that issues of multiple taxation remains a challenge in broadband penetration in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message to the occasion, Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said his government decided to grant waiver on RoW but has to peg it to N1 per kilometer for budgetary heading.
He explained while he and others were planning for the future, COVID-19 has moved us fast into the future that Nigeria is not prepared for. Nevertheless, he said that in Kwara, students have been taking lectures via radio as a result of communication challenges and that many are now forced to do meeting on zoom.
“The future is here already and we are trying to catch up”, he said, explaining that the state is still grappling with issues of inadequate medical doctors with most of them unwilling to work in the rural areas.
According to him, most hospital in the rural areas are now managing with one NYSC doctor, stressing that broadband penetration will make the issue of telemedicine a reality as doctors from advanced economies could easily attend to patients even in remote areas.
He explained that though double taxation has been a big issue, Kwara state is waving taxes and called for investors to Kwara state. In his message, Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong said ICT remains a priority to his government adding that with automation, government is able to serve better with transparency.
He said his government is in tandem with template already in place for RoW, adding that while ICT will lead to job availability, he called for cheaper data regime to create opportunity for the youths. He said the state has already created Joseph Gomwalk Digital Hub, hoping to put in place a government that is driven by ICT.
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HE, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina told the conference that the state has already keyed into the N145 per linear metre for RoW and that because of high crime rate the state is already using e-security to tackle insecurity for surveillance and to reduce crime. He said that broadband penetration will make e-health a reality in Nigeria.
The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma and that of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal were present but had to leave to attend to urgent state matters.
In his closing remarks, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Garba Umar Danbatta assured the conference that input from the technology conference will come handy in deepening broadband penetration in Nigeria.
Speaking through Barrister Adewolu Adeleke, Danbatta said NCC is ready and willing to cooperate on reforms on RoW.
“We have noted recommendation highlighted in the presentation, we will work to ensure that they are achieved”, he said and thanked the UK Prosperity Fund for organizing the technical conference.
Dr. Niyi Ibietan of NCC and Idongesit Udoh, UK Digital Access Adviser and Country Lead, Nigeria moderated the event which also had in attendance Professor Adeolu Akande, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, NCC and other stakeholders in Nigeria and in the United Kingdom.
