ATCON Kicks Against ROW Hike
…Appeals For Reversal
By Pelumi Olaleye
Following the unnecessary hike in the cost of Right of Way (RoW) by some State Governments and Agencies , umbrella body of telecommunications organizations, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), kicked against the move, saying, “The recent hile is unnecessary as it will be counterproductive and slow down broadband development in the States”.
This was contained in a statement made available to Gtech ,which was signed by the Atcon president, Mr. Olusola Teniola
He reeled out reasons including collaboration and social economic development of the State ,which is not mutually exclusive to Broadband Infrastructure Development to justify this position.
He said: “Our members which are principally telecom and ICT Companies rely heavily on the State governments and its agencies to make policies that promote further investment which would lead to building more telecom infrastructures that are needed by the citizenry, governance and businesses to deliver hitch free broadband services but with the recent upward review of the RoW, this might be difficult to achieve. We therefore appeal for a reversal of the cost back to what is being charged before.
“Our Association is aware that the state governments are passionate about improving life expectancy, literacy, increase level of employment in their respective States. With friendly business environment for telecom Companies, all these goals can be achieved on the condition that the RoW charge is not inimical to the spread of broadband infrastructure development”.
ATCON, on the other hand commended the State Governors for the giant strides in the area of accelerating the development and growth of their various States. Adding its inyentions and commitment to work with the various State Governments and Agencies in providing an enabling environment for the establishment of more telecom and ICT Companies in the States.