Exorbitant RoW charges hinder broadband infrastructure deployment – Anambra government

Maduako Igbokwe l Thursday, March 25, 2021

 

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Chairman/Managing Director, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB),  Chike Maduekwe has described exorbitant Right of Way (RoW) charges as a major  hindrance to deepening broadband infrastructure deployment in Nigeria.

Maduekwe stated this in Awka Anambra state  capital on Thursday ,during an interactive session with some journalists  on the state’s planned  Broadband Stakeholders’  Forum to Facilitate Infrastructure Deployment, Access  billed to hold on Tuesday.

He said that the state government has put machineries in place to host stakeholders’ forum as part of plans to boost the State’s broadband infrastructure in the state. The theme of the stakeholders forum is “Facilitating Broadband Access in Anambra State through a Favourable Right of Way Regime”

He said participants expected at the forum are  from Federal and State Government officials, members of diplomatic corps, investors, industry associations and others .

According to him, the  Implementation of   resolution from the meeting    will go a long way in supporting the execution of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020.

He disclosed that the state governor Willie Obiano has waived the charges for Right of Way (RoW) for fiber optic cable deployment in the state to enable deployment and access.

“Governor,  Obiano waived the charges from N600 per linear meter to Zero Naira as the state unveils its Integrated “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative” as a tactical move to reverse infrastructure decline in urban and semi-urban areas, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, leveraging digital services for commerce, education, innovation, manufacturing and e-Government” he said .

Maduekwe  further said, “a subset of the “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative” is the “Broadband Infrastructure Development programme”, which seeks to deploy modern physical planning strategies to eliminate bottlenecks to digital access within the State, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, while leveraging digital services for commercial education, innovation, manufacturing and e-Government”.

“We recognize the stakeholders’ immense impact and contributions to the Nigerian telecommunications industry and their remarkable roles to facilitate broadband access, either at policy development or investment levels. Anambra State is ready for broadband infrastructure investments.

“Anambra State Government has drawn inspiration from the Federal Government’s efforts and initiatives, but also recognizes that it needs the support of players in the ecosystem, for a success of its broadband rollout programme in the state. We envisage that high level involvement and participation in our planned Stakeholders’ Forum is a critical first step in this direction”.