Lagos Set to Audit Telecoms Facility

The Lagos State Government has concluded arrangements to check telecommunications facilities   of all  operators within the state .

General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency, LASIMRA, Mr. Babajide Odekunle made this known when he received members of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, in his office.

Odekunle who restated the role of the agency, to provide an enabling environment for telecommunication operators and ensure that Lagos indigenes got quality service at a reasonable and affordable price, hinted that the agency would be embarking on tower and underground cable audit to ensure  that operators followed and complied with laid down regulations and standards of safety in the state.

He added that auditing underground cables would enable the agency  and telecom operators to mark the location as well as  have  accurate as-built database of underground installed  Cables, Gas Pipes and Water Pipes in the state and to prevent   damage to those facilities in future installations.

The president of ATCON, Olusola Teniola expressed optimism on the outcome of the exercise but  pleaded with the agency to  consider a reduction in telecom Levies by at least 60% and Right of Way charges by 95%.

“This will enable operators to deploy much needed facilities, provide quality services for Consumers and contribute to the penetration of broadband services in Nigeria”, he said. The General Manager of the agency also urged debtor operators to pay up their levy before the exercise or risk disconnection or withdrawal of cable as the case warranted.

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