The development and on-going implementation of the telecoms industry 8-Point Agenda of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the leadership of Prof. Umar Danbatta will continue to sustain the growth of the over $68 billion investment already recorded in the industry, stakeholders have said.
They said the agenda presents a ‘green card’ for investors to want to come to Nigeria to invest.
According to them, through proper implementation of the agenda as being witnessed on the part of the telecoms regulator, backed by effective regulatory environment, the country’s economy will benefit maximally from the initiative.
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said: “From our assessment, we have seen NCC as one of the best regulatory agencies in Nigeria, whose policy has been very progressive.”
He said NCC has been committed to the implementation and that such move would be very beneficial to the entire industry.
“So far, so good, NCC has been very committed to the 8-Point Agenda and we are also aware that the commitment is already expressing interest in coming to Nigeria to invest,” he said.
This newspaper learnt that through effective communication of the agenda to global investment community at different international fora both within and outside the country, a group of Indian investors have expressed their desire to invest $4 billion in the nation’s ICT industry soon.
Also assessing the positive implications of the 8-Point Agenda on the industry, President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, said the on-going implementation of the aganda has resulted in key interventions that have taken some burdens off the operators.
He cited NCC’s interventions in Ogun State where 47 base stations already shut down by the state agency were re-gained by the regulator on behalf of the affected operators.
Also, in Kano recently, Teniola said NCC had also demonstrated its commitment to the aganda by reducing taxes and levies imposed on telecoms companies to the nearest minimum.
He said: “These are instances that can be used as barometers to determine if an initiative is working for the industry. In the area of broadband, we have witnessed spectrum auctions and the regulator has assured us that it is going to auction more.
“This will definitely bring more investment into the country, but our appeal to government is for forex to be made available to telecoms players so that from within, we can make network expansion in addition to the foreign direct investments (FDIs) that will also flow into the economy.”
President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, also called on NCC to ensure full implementation of the agenda.
While unveiling the 8-Point agenda for 2015-2020, early last year, Danbatta had said the regulator hoped to facilitate broadband penetration; improve quality of service; optimise spectrum utilisations in the country; and promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities. – New Telegraph.
