The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has said ongoing right of way reforms will further assist in the Commission’s quest to deepen broadband deployment and penetration in Nigeria.
He spoke during the virtual forum on Right of Way Reforms and Planning Permits for Masts and Towers in Nigeria organised by the British Government’s Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme in collaboration with NCC and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy on Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Danbatta who was represented by the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu said “in maximizing the benefits of digital transformation, resilient telecoms infrastructure is the key enabler in delivering ICT services. Therefore, this technical conference is apt, as it provides effective solutions to Right of Way (RoW) challenges among others”.
According to him ubiquitous broadband will propel social and economic development and growth of citizens, as in; local content development and innovations, the proliferation of ICT industries and building digital skills
Danbatta said the NCC on its part is ready to collaborate with the UK Government Prosperity Fund-Nigeria Project, especially on the subject matter of today, i.e. reforming the administration of RoW and planning permits in Nigeria.
NCC, he pledged, would work assiduously to achievement the short, medium, and long-tern actions set up in the right of way reform report, while asking service providers to appreciate some of the challenges faced by the state government and hoping that would collaborate with the state government to effectively overcome the challenges.
He expressed appreciation to the UK Government Prosperity Fund Digital Access Project team for organizing the event and its support for Nigeria’s digital transformation processes.
Key stakeholders, who participated at the virtual conference include the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme Adviser and Country Lead, Idongesit Udo.
