Science & Tech
NIGERIA Governors have assured the Federal Government of their full cooperation on the Right of Way (RoW) issue to boost the nation’s digital economy drive.
Mr Godwin Obaseki of Edo gave the assurance during the maiden edition of Broadband Technical Awareness Forum For Governor’s organised by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday in Abuja.
Obaseki said that broadband penetration was very vital to improving ofgovernance in the states, adding that the regulator must create mutual trust for the Governors to key into the programme.
He assured the Minister and the NCC that states are willing and ready to collaborate and work together.
“We need to build more trust. We have to understand what is going on in states and how they will benefit from internet penetration.
“A few things happened in the past, during COVID-19 MTN wanted to give states like Edo access to more broadband, but they did not get approvals from the regulator.
“When the policy of broadband came out five years ago, states were allocated certain providers, but they did not have capacity.
“For Edo for instance, we decided to bypass the instruction and went to get another deal with a different provider who had capacity that was how we were able to get 400km,”he said.
Obaseki said: “We believe there is so much to offer when we work together as subnational and Federal government.
“But, how we go about it must be of mutual benefit .There must be openness, trust and put in mind what the states need.”
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, used the opportunity to once again appeal to the state governors to see beyond the levy on RoW.
Pantami said: “There is need for us to engage our sub-nationals, our Governors, let them understand that the benefits of broadband penetration are beyond the right of way.
“Certain taxes being collected at the Federal Government, which the states are benefiting the same tax are being collected at the state level.
“This is the reason why we engaged them so that they will see the benefits of broadband penetration beyond collection of RoW and other charges, which are obstacles to broadband penetration in their states.”
He, however, informed them of the benefits of broadband penetration in their states.
“When there is broadband penetration in our states, it will go a long way in supporting our security institutions, entire economy ecosystem, schools, citizens to update daily information and news.
“It is because of this our sub-nationals have a strong role to play. Particularly when they comply with the agreement I engaged them on the 15th of January 2020 under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
“And I also engaged the Governors at the National Economic Council. And at least four different times with the challenge of right of way and multiple taxation,” he stated.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, appealed to the 36 state Governors to cooperate with the NCC and the ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to promote the nation’s digital economy drive.
“When you ask that the journey we have undertaken for almost ten to fifteen years or may be 20 years and the verdict today is, we are making progress indeed.
“But, we should ask ourselves; is that the kind of progress we would like to see? Or is there room for us to improve what we need to do, in order to reach that destination that we want to reach.
“We must deploy infrastructure in a way and manner that will show inclusiveness.
“We can only achieve this dream by appealing to their excellencies spearheaded by the Edo Governor that he should please cooperate with NCC, the Minister and promote digital economy,” he said.
He, however, said that leading broadband infrastructure nations were those with the highest GDP per capital in the global broadband infrastructure ecosystem.
“These are countries with GDP per capita of between 50-60 thousand dollars.
“We can only better manage our environment when we put broadband infrastructure in place. And above all, we will be able to meet our sustainable development goals.
“There is no goal that doesn’t have ICT component in it, that ICT component can only be accomplished if commensurate broadband infrastructure is put n place”. (NAN)
A.I
Tags: NCC Prof. Isa Pantami Prof. Umar Danbatta
