Telecommunications: Fayemi reduces broadband RoW charges from N4,500 to N145 per meter

By Charles Segun Adegbite 

Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, has signed an Executive Order to drastically reduce the Right of Way charges on laying of broadband and other telecommunications infrastructures in the state from the previous N1450 to N145 per meter.

With that action, he has broken the record for being the first among state governors in Nigeria to comply with the National Economic Council (NEC) approved charges for broadband.

In a tweet he sent by 1:47pm today, Fayemi said "Ekiti is the first state in Nigeria to comply with the NEC approved Right of Way charges for broadband thus becoming the cheapest state for broadband infrastructure investment as 1km of cable will now cost just N145,000 as against N4.5m previously.

"This Executive Order is part of the ongoing reforms by the Ease of Doing Business project inaugurated by the Governor last year to improve indices that will make Ekiti State an attractive destination for national and international investments in 5 years." He explained .

According to him, "This decision will ensure Ekiti achieves full broadband penetration by 2021 to attract new businesses, create jobs, improve access to quality healthcare and digital education while improving internally generated revenue". He added.