ATCON backs FG to fully implement New National Broadband Plan by 2025
By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has pledged support to the federal government to implement the 2020-2025 New National Broadband plan (NNBP).
The president of ATCON, Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, made this known on Thursday, February 11, when he led a delegation of the newly elected members of the National Executive Council on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami in Abuja.
Nnamani appreciated the minister for showing a lot of commitment and determination in addressing issues that are facing the country’s telecom industry.
He hailed the minister for addressing most challenges facing the industry, most importantly on the issue of National Identity Number(NIN), Right of Way (ROW), New National Broadband plan (NNBP) and digitization of the economy.
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He said one of the goals of the visit likewise part of their 2021 plan is to establish their support to the minister in ensuring the full implementation of the national broadband plan.
He also stated that the association is also working towards developing a strategic plan to bridge the over 15 trillion naira infrastructure funding gap for the telecom/ICT industry.
He said, ‘’ One of the challenges that we are addressing with the quantity operators is that every one of them must source their infrastructure in the country.
‘’ Now, we have faithful operators with infrastructure in the country that have also joined the association.
‘’ We insist that we cannot continue to serve the Nigerian market from infrastructure located outside the country.’’
The president also said that other goals to be achieved in 2021 by the association are to ensure full implementation of the Right Of Way (ROW) policy and address multiple taxation and the regulatory challenges, which can also be achieved with the support of the federal and state governments.
Speaking on the membership of the Association, he said, ‘’Our membership cuts across 9 sectors of the ICT industry and this is because we believe in the convergence of not just technology but of services.
‘’ We have over 160 companies as our members, made up of indigenous and multinational telecommunications and ICT companies operating in Nigeria, ranging from telephone operators, infrastructure providers, internet services providers and among others,’’ he added.
He said that each of the groups have their own individual associations, noting that ATCON is their umbrella body.
Nnamani also stated that in 2021, the association has mapped out events and different activities that will help them achieve some of these goals.
He said, ‘’We have different activities whereby we use use. For instance, we have a structured engagement with key stakeholders that is coming up in March.’
Receiving the delegation, the Minister appreciated their visit and welcomed their interest to support the federal government to develop the ICT sector.
Pantami said, ‘’ I appreciate you for recognizing our national broadband plan for 2020-2025 which I championed.
‘’I’m happy you appreciated our achievements most importantly in the NIN registration which is a mandatory number being neglected for years despite its mandatory nature.
‘’My doors are open for you whenever my attention is needed because I can’t do it alone.
‘’Let us do the best we can to take the sector to greater heights. Because it is the most important sector of the economy today.’’
The new NEC members of ATCON who attended the meeting include: Mr Ibrahim Dikko, Mr Muyiwa Ogungboye, Engr. Emeka Okafor, Dr Myke Ofili, Mr Ezekiel Egboye and Mr Wole Abu.
Others are Mrs Aderonke Adeyegbe, Mr Wale Owoeye, Mr Dapo Akanbi, Mr Abayomi Adebanjo, Nihinlola Fafare, Mr Emeka Justin Onyechere, Mr Tony Emoekepere and Mr Olusola Teniola.
