Right of Way charges: Emulate AbdulRazaq, Pantami tells Govs

Fri, Jun 5, 2020
By publisher
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Business

MINISTER of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has advised Nigerian governors to emulate their Kwara State counterpart AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the recent reduction of the Right of Way (RoW) charges for telecommunication companies.

Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary (CPS), to Gov AbdulRazaq, in a statement on Friday in Ilorin said the Minister gave the advice in a letter of commendation to the governor.

“We hope all other Governors emulate your patriotic gesture,” Ajakaye quoted the minister as saying.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Gov AbdulRazaq had recently directed the reduction of the RoW fee for Telecom firms from N5,500 per linear metre to N1 per kilometer of fibre, the second lowest in Nigeria after Kaduna.

The Commissioner for Communication, who announced the reduction on Sun, May 31, said the directive took immediate effect.

Until now, telecom firms were paying N5,500 per linear metre as the fee for laying fibre cables in the state.

The Governor said the decision was to strengthen digital penetration and improve ease of doing business ratings in Kwara.

The minister in the letter said he was highly delighted about the decision of Gov AbdulRazaq.

According to the minister, the reduction in the fee would go a long way in helping the implementation of the National Broadband Plan that was recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I wish to offer my sincere appreciation to you for adhering to the resolution of the State Governors under the auspices of the Governors’ Forum on the 22nd of January 2020.

“Your resolution of the RoW is truly commendable. It will enhance the prospects of broadband penetration in the country and promote a digital economy for a digital Nigeria.

“We believe an executive order will further give the decision a stronger policy backing,” Pantami said in the commendation letter. (NAN)

– Jun. 5, 2020 @ 15:25 GMT |

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