Worried by various challenges confronting broadband and connectivity in Nigeria, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced plans to strategic dialogue with ICT actors in the 36 states of country and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, stated in a statement that the dialogue would be a one-day Strategic Stakeholders meeting with the 36 States Commissioners including FCT, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of ICT Agencies in Abuja on June 5, 2024 with a theme “Harnessing States Potential through the Applications of Technical Efficiencies”.
According to him, it is crystal clear that the role of connectivity in driving innovation and digital economy cannot be overemphasized.
He said that state governments need to work with telecoms operators to ensure that all hindrances and bottlenecks to pervasive and ubiquitous broadband is completely eradicated through constructive dialogue.
According the umbrella body of telecoms players in the country, the strategic objectives of the forum are to discuss the status of the Nigerian National Broadband of 2020 to 2025 and 2023 – 2027 Strategic Blue Print of Dr Bosun Tijani with respect to its objectives and targets; to influence our members to have presences in all states of the federation as well as encourage capital importation to states that are ready for development which is enabled by communications, innovation and digital economy; to get states’ buying in the actualization of programmes, initiatives and activities targeted at pushing the frontiers of telecommunications infrastructure developments in all the states of the federation; and to have an approved way of resolving issues that bother on right of way, multiple taxation and other related issues.
Others include to sign a memorandum of understanding with the ATCON that going forward there would be no destruction and shutting down of base stations across Nigeria; and to collaborate with states governments to leapfrog anticipated development and progress in all the states of the federation in order to deepen the broadband penetrative potentials in all sectors of the states’ economy thereby addressing the issues of poverty and unemployment faced by the state government.
The association listed expected speakers at the forum to in include Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister,Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Nyesom Wike, the MinisterFederal Capital Territorty (FCT); and Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’
Similarly, some selected telecom CEOs, Commissioners and Heads of Agencies would also serve as panel discussants to drive the dialogue.
