The Nasarawa State Authorities has formally permitted the elimination of Proper of Approach, RoW, prices for the set up, placement, laying, and upkeep of telecommunications community amenities throughout the state.
This resolution was revealed by signing the Proper of Approach Regulation 2023, which took impact on December 29, 2023.
The RoW cost is a charge community operators pay to state governments for laying optic fibre cables on state roads.
A tweet posted by Aminu Maida, the Govt Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Fee, NCC, on X confirmed the state’s resolution.
The Nasarawa State City Improvement Board, NUDB, has been directed to not impose any prices for the set up, putting, laying, or upkeep of telecommunications community amenities in accordance with the Nasarawa State Proper of Approach Laws 2023.
The brand new regulation states that community amenities should adhere to good engineering practices, guaranteeing that their actions don’t intrude with public utility operations, roads, or visitors motion.
“Within the utility of the above-mentioned clause 135 of Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and within the train of its powers over the Rights of Approach inside Nasarawa State, the Nasarawa State City Improvement Board receives functions or requests for approval for set up, putting, putting in or upkeep of any telecommunications community amenities from any licensee operator.
“The NUDB shall cost no charge within the train of the powers it holds in advantage of the Nasarawa State Proper of Approach Laws 2023 for the set up, putting, laying or upkeep of the Community Services;
“The NUDB shall cost no charge within the train of the powers it holds in advantage of the Nasarawa State Proper of Approach Laws 2023 for the set up, putting, laying or upkeep of the Community Services.
“Additionally, no different Ministry, Division or Company of Nasarawa State is entitled to request or cost any charge with regard to the set up, putting, laying or upkeep of Community Services,” the assertion reads partly.
The harmonization of RoW prices throughout the nation was initiated in 2018, with the Federal Authorities and all 36 states, together with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, reaching an settlement.
Earlier than harmonization, telecom operators confronted various prices starting from N4,000 to N8,000 per metre in numerous areas. After the harmonization, a uniform cost of N145 per metre was established for laying fibre cables anyplace within the nation.
Reacting to Nasarawa State’s resolution, Aminu Maida of the NCC expressed optimism that this transfer would contribute to the achievement of the Nationwide Broadband Plan, aiming to realize 75 per cent of the nation’s fibre optic cable goal by the tip of 2027.
He acknowledged the NCC’s dedication to participating with states on creating an enabling surroundings for telecommunications investments, selling elevated connectivity, financial progress, and improved digital providers by waiving RoW prices.