RoW Reforms: NCC Seeks Operators Cooperation, Collaborate with UK to Boost Broadband

Bukola Olanrewaju August 15, 2020 TECHNOLOGY Leave a comment

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for information and communications service providers cooperation as the commission moves to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta who gave this charged on Thursday disclosed that the commission is working towards reforming Right of Ways.

He said this at a virtual forum on Right of Way Reforms and Planning Permits for Masts and Towers in Nigeria organised by the British Government’s Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme in collaboration with NCC and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

Ably represented by NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, Danbatta said that the partnership between Nigeria and British Government on Digital Access Programme will deepen digital inclusion in Nigeria

Also Read:

According to him, the ongoing right of way reforms will further assist in the Commission’s quest to deepen broadband deployment and penetration in Nigeria.

He encouraged service providers to appreciate some of the challenges faced by the state government while hoping that this will enable them to collaborate with the state government to effectively overcome the challenges.

Going through the report, the EvC Boss said he was convinced the British Government’s support will reform approaches to RoW, deepen broadband penetration and digital transformation in Nigeria.

While noting that, this technical conference is apt, as it provides effective solutions to Right of Way (RoW) challenges among others, Danbatta also stated that, in maximizing the benefits of digital transformation, resilient telecoms infrastructure is the key enabler in delivering ICT services.

READ ALSO: Operators Rely on 32,800 Generators to Power ICT Services – Pantami Laments

According to him ubiquitous broadband will propel social and economic development and growth of citizens, as in; local content development and innovations, the proliferation of ICT industries and building digital skills

Danbatta said the NCC on its part is ready to collaborate with the UK Government Prosperity Fund-Nigeria Project, especially on the subject matter of today, i.e. reforming the administration of RoW and planning permits in Nigeria.

NCC, he pledged, would work assiduously to achievement the short, medium, and long-tern actions set up in the right of way reform report.

He expressed appreciation to the UK Government Prosperity Fund Digital Access Project team for organizing the event and its support for Nigeria’s digital transformation processes.

Broadband

Earlier in her opening remarks, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing commended efforts made so far, particularly those of the the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Ibrahim Pantami.

She said: “Nigeria has seen great progress in the effort to provide inclusive digital access to millions of its citizens.

“The COVID19 pandemic has however, made the world rely more on internet connectivity for access to basic necessities – health, education, work, shopping, convenience and other services. As such, substantial digital inequities have been revealed.

“The UK is keen to support the promotion of affordable, inclusive, safe and secure digital access for underserved or excluded populations, and this conference is a significant step to discuss the technical findings of our preliminary study, outcomes, lingering challenges and the way forward.

“I hope that today’s deliberation will culminate into an increased digital inclusion as a basis for a more thriving local tech ecosystem, generating skilled jobs and innovative solutions for local development challenges,” she added.

The the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami during his speech commended the UK Government for supporting the Nigeria Digital Economy agenda and promised to remain focused in deepening digital inclusion.

Key stakeholders, who participated at the virtual conference include the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme Adviser and Country Lead, Idongesit Udo; Governors of Ekiti, Katsina, Sokoto, Imo, Plateau and Kwara.

They also include representatives of state governments; members of the Presidential Committee on Broadband Plan monitoring and implementation; industry and private sector leaders in tech and telecommunications sector, civil society groups and the media.