The State Governors under the auspices of the Governors’ Forum resolved to address the lingering issue of Right of Way (RoW) charges in a bid to deepen broadband penetration in the country and promote a Digital Economy for a Digital Nigeria.
The resolution followed a presentation made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), during the meeting of the Governors’ Forum held recently.
The Minister was accompanied to the meeting by Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency Kashifu Inuwa, and Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), Funke Opeke.
Dr Pantami discussed the many benefits that an increase in broadband access can have on the economy of the various States.
He noted that one of the key benefits is the rapid growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of any country that increases its broadband penetration.
He, however, urged the State Governors to adopt the 2013 resolutions reached by the National Economic Council (NEC) which agreed on a maximum RoW charge of N145.00 per linear meter of fibre.
While acknowledging the benefits of broadband penetration, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, stated that the Minister should consider the matter resolved.
“There will no longer be any need to appeal to the Governors on the issue of RoW,” he added.
In addition to the discussion on the RoW, the Minister also discussed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) which was unveiled by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on the 28th of November 2019.
Dr Pantami urged the State Governors to key into the Policy and Strategy.
He also informed them of the plan of the Federal Government to help the States with a Digital Economy Strategy, through Policy, Digital Skills and other areas of intervention.
By Collins Nnabuife,
Nigerian Tribune