By Blessing Olaifa, Abuja
Governors have resolved to address the lingering issue of Right of Way (RoW) charges across the country, The Nation learnt on Thursday.
The disparity in the Right of Way Charges had raised concerns in the industry, forcing the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Dr Isa Pantami, to appeal to the states to stick to the amount agreed on at the National Economic Council meeting Chaired in 2018 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Pantami had lamented that the disparity could impede broadband penetration in the country as well as the desire of the government to promote a Digital Economy.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Technical Assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi, the resolution followed a presentation made by the Minister during a meeting with the Governors’ Forum on Wednesday.
It noted that the Minister was accompanied to the meeting by Prof Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission; Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and Funke Opeke, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).
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The statement reads: “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 then 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.
“In response, the Governors acknowledged the benefits of broadband penetration and the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, His Excellency, Dr. Fayemi, stated that the Honourable Minister should consider the matter resolved. There will no longer be any need to appeal to the Governors on the issue of RoW.”
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