The government of Anambra state has announced its decision to waive the fibre optic right of way that telecoms operators were required to pay before laying fibre optic cables in the state.
In a statement, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) announced that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State waived the Fibre Optic Cable Right of Way charges from N600 per linear meter to Zero Naira.
“The removal of the Right of Way charges by Anambra state is the first step to a digital economy that welcomes key stakeholders, investors, innovators, educators and businesses to The Light of the Nation. It is also aligned with the resolution of the Nigerian Governors’ forum of January 2020 and the launching of the National Broadband Plan by Mr President in March 2020.”
Anambra State Physical Planning Board
According to the board, the governor’s decision is in line with the strategy of the Anambra state government to create a robust digital economy.
The government described its urban regeneration initiative as geared towards deploying modern physical planning strategies to eliminate bottlenecks to digital access. It also seeks to reverse infrastructure decline in urban and semi-urban areas, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, leveraging digital services for commerce, education, innovation, manufacturing and eGoverment.
“We had opened discussion with key stakeholders for zero payment on RoW as directed in 2019 by His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano to expedite broadband penetration, optimize economic activities and the ease of doing business in the state” said Barrister Chike Maduekwe, the Chairman/Managing Director of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB)
The board revealed it is driving the initiative and it has started with initial stakeholder engagements and subsequent alignment with relevant professional bodies, associations, beneficiary towns and communities. The implementation of the broadband penetration roadmap and enumeration project as well as multiple stakeholder engagement sessions will commence in July 2020.