By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has disclosed that the Federal Government agreed to reduce the taxes payable by telecommunications operators in the country in order to enable them to expand their services to the hinterland.
Mr Shittu explained that the expansion of telecom services to the hinterland would ensure that many more people, especially the underserved and unserved populace, had access to basic services.
Speaking at the 2017 Information Communications Technology and Telecommunication Expo in Lagos, the Minister said that the National Economic Council had approved a policy to harmonise Right of Ways charges payable by telecommunications companies on local, state and federal highways.
“The policy, when it comes to fruition, will minimise the spaces occupied, burden on the roads and reduce taxes payable by the telecoms operators.
“As such, with the RoW challenges gone, operators can invest in last mile infrastructure, especially fibre, that will boost services,” Mr Shittu disclosed at the event organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the ministry would liaise with states and relevant stakeholders for the smooth implementation of the RoW project.
“We will assist them to grow. We have accepted that Nigeria must take the leadership role in Africa’s Information and Communications Technology ecosystem.
“We are amenable to Public-Private Partnership relationships to drive the ministry’s projects. We, therefore, assert that 2017 must be a year of action,” Mr Shittu said.
