L—R: Executive Director, Broadbased Communications Limited, Chidi Ibisi; National Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo; Chief Operating Officer, WTES Projects Limited, Chidi Ajuzie; Chief Executive Officer, Skymax Integrated Networks Limited, Engr. Chidi Charles Agukwe; Deputy Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analyses, Nigerian Communications Commission, Mrs. Freda Bruce-Bennett; and Omobayo Azeez, Convener of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) at the sixth edition of PIAFo on Digital Economy held on Wednesday in Lagos.
Stakeholders Identify Obstacles to FG's 90,000km Fibre Project
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
ABUJA, NIGERIA, 2024 -
Telecommunications industry stakeholders have highlighted several challenges that may hinder the Federal Government's plan to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic cables across the country. These obstacles include Right of Way charges, multiple taxation, and levies controlled by state governments.
Speaking at the Sixth Edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos, stakeholders emphasized the need to address these issues to ensure the successful implementation of the project. The project, announced by the Federal Government, aims to complement existing connectivity for universal access to the internet across Nigeria and provide the Nigerian digital economy with the necessary backbone infrastructure.
Executive Director of Broadbased Communications, Mr. Chidi Ibisi, presented a paper on "Harmonizing Nigeria's Fibre Deployment Strategies for Effective Implementation." He noted that while the government's Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) initiative is a good plan, it needs to address current challenges such as high Right of Way costs, fibre destruction by road construction companies and vandals.
Group Chief Operating Officer of WTES Projects Limited, Mr. Chidi Ajuzie, highlighted the challenges telecom operators face when deploying infrastructure, including informal Right of Way charges by hoodlums in states.
Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, emphasized that state governments must take ownership of the project for it to succeed. He noted that state governments should stop seeing Right of Way as a source of revenue and instead support the digital economy.
Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centre (OADC), stressed the need for private sector involvement in the project's execution, even with World Bank funding. He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes to achieve meaningful broadband penetration.
The event's convener, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, noted that the conference aimed to create a platform for stakeholders to brainstorm and harmonize thoughts on accelerating collective prosperity through technical efficiency.
The event focused on Nigeria's renewed strategic agenda for digital economy, challenging stakeholders to attain new frontiers and accelerate collective prosperity.
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