Anambra State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, has convened a stakeholders’ forum as part of plans to boost the South Eastern (Nigeria) State’s broadband infrastructure.
The forthcoming Stakeholders’ Forum on the theme: “Facilitating Broadband Access in Anambra State through a Favourable Right of Way Regime”, is scheduled to hold on March 30, 2021 at 02:00pm (West African Time); with Federal and State Government officials, members of diplomatic corps, investors, industry associations and other are expected participants.
Anambra State Government had in June 2020 waived the charges for Right of Way (RoW) for fibre optic cable deployment.
The Governor, Chief Obiano waived the charges from N600 per linear meter to Zero Naira as the State unveils its Integrated “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative” as a tactical move to reverse infrastructure decline in urban and semi-urban areas, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, leveraging digital services for commerce, education, innovation, manufacturing and eGoverment.
The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, had singled out the Anambra as among few that have “positioned their States to embrace the Digital Economy”.
“Implementing this resolution will go a long way in supporting the execution of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) which was launched by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the 19th of March 2020”, the Minister said.
Speaking on the Stakeholders’ Forum, the Chairman/Managing Director, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barr. Chike Maduekwe, said it is in line with the strategy of the Anambra state government to create a robust and sustainable digital economy for the State.
Maduekwe said, “A subset of the “Anambra State Integrated Urban Regeneration Initiative” is the “Broadband Infrastructure Development programme”, which seeks to deploy modern physical planning strategies to eliminate bottlenecks to digital access within the State, boost digital infrastructure rollout to towns and communities and diversify the economy, while leveraging digital services for commercial education, innovation, manufacturing and e-Government”.
“We recognize the stakeholders’ immense impact in and contributions to the Nigerian telecommunications industry and their remarkable roles to facilitate broadband access, either at policy development or investment levels. Anambra State is ready for broadband infrastructure investments.
“Anambra State Government has drawn inspiration from the Federal Government’s efforts and initiatives, but also recognizes that it needs the support of players in the ecosystem, for a success of its broadband rollout programme in the State. We envisage that high level involvement and participation in our planned Stakeholders’ Forum is a critical first step in this direction”, he explained.
