The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Ajibola Olude, has identified benefits that would accrue to Ekiti and Imo states for slashing right of way fees for telecom companies.
The slash of the rates announced, first by Ekiti, and then by Imo few days ago, would allow telecommunication companies deploy telecom infrastructures to those states much faster and cheaper.
ATCON said the move by the two states “would unlocking the inherent digital potential of these states. The States would enjoy and maximize the opportunity that pervasive broadband penetration can offer as the people could
The states would be able to “leverage on uninterrupted telecommunications services which they have not been enjoying before now.
“The State will experience a noticeable development both in the private and public sector which is expected to push the revenue of these states forward and … make companies that do not have presence in these states to consider opening a branch in the state which will lead to employment generation thereby reducing rural-urban migration”, the statement said.
The Association commended Dr Kayode Fayemi, Executive Governor, Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Senator Hope Odidika Uzodinma, Executive Governor, Imo State and their respective State House of Assemblies for the implementation of the approved right of way price.
ATCON also said it 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.
The move by the governors, according to ATCON, the governors have attested to the fact that the socio-economic development of their respective state is not mutually exclusive to broadband and ICT infrastructure development.
ATCON has also asked States that have not implemented the approved the harmonized Right-of-Way price of N145 per liner meter to take a clue from Ekiti and Imo so as to speed up the needed development in Nigeria.
