Ekiti implementation of executive order on RoW, Pantami applauds Fayemi

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has commended the Ekiti state government for implementing the N145 Right of Way (RoW) executive order.

“This action of providing a policy backing to the Right of Way charges is truly commendable.  It is also in consonance with the resolution of the state governors under the auspices of the Governors’ Forum on the 22nd of January 2020 to address the lingering issue of Right of Way (RoW) charges in a bid to deepen broadband penetration in the country and promote a Digital Economy.  

The minister in a statement by his spokesperson Uwa Suleiman (Mrs) said he was “delighted to hear about the Executive Order No. 007 of 2020 on Right of Way Charges on Telecommunications Infrastructure that was signed by the executive governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on the 12th of May, 2020. 

The Executive Order shall “specifically target all sectors of Ekiti state including rural homes, farms, small businesses, manufacturing and production sites, transportation systems, healthcare and educational facilities.

 It is also noteworthy that the Order specifies that “Right of Way charges related to the laying of broadband or any other telecommunications infrastructure in Ekiti state shall not exceed N145 per linear metre.”

He noted that the Governors’ Forum at the January 22, 2020, meeting had resolved 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.

“Implementing this resolution will go a long way in implementing the National Broadband Plan (NBP) which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 19th of March 2020.

According to him, “An increase in broadband access will have a positive impact on the economy of the various states as well as the entire country. 

He noted that one of the key benefits is rapid growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any country that increases its broadband penetration. 

“The negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated the importance of broadband in supporting economies around the world.”

The minister therefore encourages other  governors to emulate this action in order to accelerate broadband penetration across the country. 

Leave a Reply