CNI: ICT Industry Awaits Presidential Assent on Executive Order to Protect Infrastructure

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, says the Draft document on the Executive Order protecting Telecommunications Infrastructure across the country as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) has been reviewed by the relevant authorities and is awaiting presidential assent.

This disclosure was made by the Minister during his keynote address at a virtual sectoral forum, organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). The forum themed: Meeting the interests of Government, Consumers and Telecoms and ICT Companies in the era of COVID19 and post COVID19 pandemic for digital economy development, is aimed at finding a mutually beneficial common ground for every interest in the sector.

Recall, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security officers in Nigeria to protect telecommunications infrastructure in the country few months back.

Dr Pantami, who noted that the “protection of the rights of citizens and consumers was of utmost priority to the government especially those who are struggling” further disclosed that “the Ministry is currently working on a policy that will reinforce existing Executive Orders 003 and 005 to ensure that priority is given to indigenous manpower and expertise. In the Ministry, we always try to strike a balance by protecting the interest of consumers and citizens on one hand and the telecoms companies on the other”.

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In order to create an enabling environment for both investors and consumers, the Federal Government has intervened by enacting policies to protect telecommunications infrastructure, review the cost of Right of Way (RoW) to the barest minimum and also put measures in place to eradicate illegal or multiple taxation.

He further emphasized that “the consumer is king and they must be consulted and their rights protected”

In his response, the President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola commended the Minister for his unprecedented interventions in every issue that has hitherto plagued and constituted a setback to the sector.

He expressed optimism that with Pantami’s interventions and support, the challenges of Quality of Service, price of data and broadband penetration will improve considerably.

He pledged the association’s support to the initiatives and strategies of the Honourable Minister in ensuring that the industry operates in line with global best practice.