Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has commended the Nasarawa State Government’s decision to officially remove Right of Way (RoW) charges for the installation, placement, laying, and maintenance of telecommunications network facilities within the state.
This decision was revealed by signing the Right of Way Regulation 2023, which took effect on December 29, 2023.
The RoW charge is a fee network operators pay to state governments for laying optic fibre cables on state roads.
A tweet posted by Aminu Maida, the EVC of NCC on X confirmed the state’s decision.
The Nasarawa State Urban Development Board, NUDB, has been directed not to impose any charges for the installation, placing, laying, or maintenance of telecommunications network facilities in accordance with the Nasarawa State Right of Way Regulations 2023.
The new regulation states that network facilities must adhere to good engineering practices, ensuring that their activities do not interfere with public utility operations, roads, or traffic movement.
“In the application of the above-mentioned clause 135 of Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and in the exercise of its powers over the Rights of Way within Nasarawa State, the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board receives applications or requests for approval for installation, placing, installing or maintenance of any telecommunications network facilities from any licensee operator.
“The NUDB shall charge no fee in the exercise of the powers it holds in virtue of the Nasarawa State Right of Way Regulations 2023 for the installation, placing, laying or maintenance of the Network Facilities;
“The NUDB shall charge no fee in the exercise of the powers it holds in virtue of the Nasarawa State Right of Way Regulations 2023 for the installation, placing, laying or maintenance of the Network Facilities.
“Also, no other Ministry, Department or Agency of Nasarawa State is entitled to request or charge any fee with regard to the installation, placing, laying or maintenance of Network Facilities,” the statement reads in part.
The harmonization of RoW charges across the country was initiated in 2018, with the Federal Government and all 36 states, along with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, reaching an agreement.
Before harmonization, telecom operators faced varying charges ranging from N4,000 to N8,000 per metre in different regions. After the harmonization, a uniform charge of N145 per metre was established for laying fibre cables anywhere in the country.
Reacting to Nasarawa State’s decision, Aminu Maida of the NCC expressed optimism that this move would contribute to the achievement of the National Broadband Plan, aiming to attain 75 per cent of the country’s fibre optic cable target by the end of 2027.
He stated the NCC’s commitment to engaging with states on creating an enabling environment for telecommunications investments, promoting increased connectivity, economic growth, and improved digital services by waiving RoW charges.
