Harmonise Tariff Charges on Right of Way, Shittu Tells Agencies

Worried about the disparity in charges on Right of Way by federal, state and local governments agencies across the country, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has called on all government agencies to reduce and harmonise their charges.

The minister issued the directive when the management team of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), led by its General Manager, Mr. Babajide Odekunle, visited the him in Abuja recently.

The minister, who identified the issue of the Right of Way (RoW) as critical among the three tiers of government, also advocated the active involvement and participation of all the stakeholders’ to dialogue on the modalities for harmonising the tariff charges.

According to Shittu, there was need to canvass for drastic actions for the adoption of a particular tariff such that the common man can have access, get the best of telecoms services and be able to afford all call rates because the telecom operators would indirectly shift the levies and high charges back to the consumers, after paying so much for RoW.

He spoke on the readiness of the federal government to collaborate with all stakeholders in the industry to ensure a new lease of life for the consumers.

Speaking on the cost of managing telecoms facilities, Shittu said the cost of diesel to power generators of base stations is increasing by the day, blaming the situation as one of the reasons for the high rate of telecoms services in the country, when compared to what is obtainable in other climes.

He however urged consumers to see telecoms operators as trusted partners in business.

In his response, Odekunle while formally congratulating the Minister and wishing him a successful tenure in office, remarked that his activities in less than 90 days in office were highly commendable. He informed the Minister that LASIMRA is responsible for the regulation and maintenance of telecom infrastructure in Lagos and that its portfolio also covers the granting of Right of Ways for underground cable laying in Lagos metropolis.

He reaffirmed the support of the Lagos State government to the national broadband project, adding that the benefits of the project remain critical to the economic development of the country in increasing the nation’s internet penetration, boosting the capacities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and reducing unemployment rate among youths.

He reiterated that more than 60 per cent of the telecom market is in Lagos State and that by implication, the telecoms operators should partner and collaborate with the host government in compliance with the existing statutes and regulations, particularly in the areas of payment of levies and charges and also in adhering strictly to safety and maintenance standards prescribed for infrastructure facilities across the state.

Odekunle explained that there were plans in the offing to collate all the database of telecoms infrastructure in the state to enable the state government set the record straight and be abreast of happenings in the telecoms industry.

He revisited the issue on co-location as being the best option and most appropriate for the telecoms industry, but stressed that it would require utmost cooperation and great understanding among the operators to wholeheartedly endorse the co-location application.