Out of the 36 states in the country, 29 of them, including Ogun, Benue, Rivers and Lagos, still charge above the recommended rate of N145 per linear metre on Right of Way (RoW), THISDAY investigation has revealed.
The federal government, through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, on January 22, 2020, had a discussion with the members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), facilitated by its chairman, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, where it was agreed to streamline RoW charges across the states to a unified rate of N145 per linear metre.
But as at this week, THISDAY findings showed that only seven states have agreed to fix RoW charges at N145 per linear metre, while others still charge between N1,000 and N6,000 per linear metre.
Executive Secretary, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga, who confirmed the arbitrary charges on RoW across states, said the association was still in discussion with the 29 states, while some of the states have refused to shift grounds on their charges.
According to Awonuga, the seven states included Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Anambra and Imo, while some among them were even charging zero cost for RoW.
Awonuga confirmed that while Benue State charges N2,500 per linear metre, Ogun State charges N4,000 per linear metre, while another state charges N6,000 per linear metre.
The minister had said: “At that meeting, I made a presentation on the benefits of broadband and requested the buy-in of the governors for the implementation of Broadband Plan and the Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria, and the governors unanimously agreed to adopt a maximum of N145/linear metre. Some of the governors have even waived this amount altogether.
“Many of the governors have begun full implementation and some have notified us in writing. We received reports that some states have introduced some extraneous charges that have increased the charges beyond the amount agreed. We are discussing with states involved in such cases, with a view to addressing the disparity.”
Before the January 2020 meeting there was disparity in the fees charged by state governors in their respective states, which range between N1,000 to N6,000 per linear metre.
Awonuga explained that Lagos still charge N750 per linear metre, which was the agreement the state reached with telecoms operators after a court settlement on telecoms charges in the state.
Awonuga explained that the reduction of RoW charges to al low as N145 per linear metre, would attract broadband rollout and network infrastructure rollout that would in turn, attract local and foreign investors to invest in the states, aside reduction of telecoms services for telecoms consumers.
According to him, Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan dwelt more about broadband and infrastructure rollout, adding that hike in RoW charges might hinder broadband rollout in the country.
The broadband plan also targets the deployment of nationwide fibre coverage to reach all state capitals, and provision of a point of presence in at least 90 per cent of local government headquarters. It also targets tertiary educational institutions, major hospitals in each state and fibre connectivity at statutory rates of N145/meter for Right of Way (RoW).
President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Ikechukwu Nnamani, told THISDAY that the development of a solid digital economy would rest on the foundation of a well distributed broadband infrastructure that would involve the convergence of all technology types and classes of service.
