The Executive Chairman of Anambra state Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe has stressed that broadband penetration across the state will enhance digital economy, such as e-education, e-health or e-marketing, thereby improving ease of doing business in the state.

Barrister Maduekwe who stated this when he spoke to the ABS at the Board’s Headquarter in Awka, said that the decision of Governor Willie Obiano to waive the Fibre Optic Cable right of way charges from six hundred naira per linear meter to zero naira, is in line with the Nigeria Governor’s Forum January resolution on harmonized prices as well as the President’s National Broadband Plan, launched in March, 2020.

Government House Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that Fiber optic cable consists of one or more thin flexible fibres with a glass core through which light signals can be sent with very little loss of strength. They can be used to deliver internet data .

As at the time of filing this report, seven out of the 36 States in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory have declared their new rates and charges with regards to Fiber Optic Cable deployment in line with the National Economic Council (NEC) harmonised prices per linear meter.

The States are Anambra ₦0, Kaduna ₦0, Katsina ₦145, Kwara State ₦1, Plateau, Imo ₦145 and Ekiti state ₦145.

According to Barrister Maduekwe who said that under the law, it is the responsibility of the Physical Planning Board to license tecoms but explained that Anambra state Executive Council work as a team to achieve anything.

While noting that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual meetings are increasingly becoming the order of the day, he recalled that Governor Obiano permitted negotiation with the tecoms last year which was successful.

He added that contrary to the concern that the state will loose revenue, Barrister Maduekwe stated that potentially, one of the key benefits of the broadband penetration is the rapid growth in the GDP, , saying that broadband offers about twenty times faster internet services and will engender positive impact on the economy, calling on tecoms and stakeholders in the industry to take advantage of the zero naira per linear meter offered by Anambra state government to explore opportunities in the state .

Commenting on the special mention of Anambra by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Barrister Maduekwe said that it portrays the Minister as one who is fully alive to his responsibility.

Recall that on 4th June, 2020, Governor Obiano, through a press release signed by the Executive Chairman of the state Physicsl Planning Board, waived the Fibre Optic Cable Right of Way charges from N600 per linear meter to Zero Naira.

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