Anambra State has signed an agreement with Abuja to accelerate information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure rollout to actualise the ‘Smart State’ initiative which seeks to address, among other issues, multiple taxation.
Lagos as good example
Governor Willie Obianoo
Communications Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson, who also chairs the Broadband Council, is promoting the initiative across states and Anambra is one of those in the test run.
The scheme also seeks to proffer effective measures to eradicate arbitrary ICT charges (also called right of way, RoW).
Other states include Bayelsa, Gombe, Katsina and Ondo. Lagos has reduced RoW charges by 85 per cent and Bayelsa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Quest for ‘Smart Cities’
The agreement with Anambra is for an enabling environment for ICT infrastructure that will reduce the cost of deployment and increase the launch of networks in commercial centres as well as underserved and rural areas.
The bottom line is to increase broadband penetration, both fixed and mobile, and ICT access at affordable prices to actualise digitally enabled urban areas called ‘Smart Cities’.
Johnson’s Media Assistant, Efem Nkanga, said those in the test run would be called ‘Model States’ and given support to achieve the objectives.
All participating states can expect growth in economic activity, productivity, and development, she enthused.
Removal of bottlenecks
The project covers standardised fees for site building and approval, reduction in fees, waiver for RoW, implementation of a Dig-Once Policy, collocation between operators and connectivity to state institutions within one kilometre of RoW.
The Communications Ministry, which wants to remove the bottlenecks in quality delivery, is in partnership with the Ministry of Works to develop new RoW guidelines that will enable ICT firms to lay fibre optics cables on federal roads.
The Communications Ministry has for the first time got and federal and state authorities talking to remove multiple taxation and arbitrary charges.
It is working to replicate the system in Lagos in other states by convincing governors.
An assessment by the ministry on ICT infrastructure deployment revealed that almost 70 per cent of cost is spent on RoW, taxes, and levies.
The elimination of multiple taxation will cut costs for networks and reduce subscriber charges.
