Lagos, ALTON yet to renew expired agreement on Smart City Initiative

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Lagos state government and Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) which formed part of efforts to mitigate the challenges hindering the roll-out of telecommunications facilities across its domain expired last December, making way for arbitrary charges by the authorities if not renewed.

Daily Times gathered that the agreement which has provision for renewal expired last year December, upon completion its two years’ duration and is yet to be renewed.

It would be recalled that ALTON in 2014 signed an agreement with Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASMIRA), and the State Ministry of Science and Technology by that MoU the approval fee for ‘right of way’ approvals was slashed by 85 percent to allow operators build quality network for effective service deliver for the benefit of Lagosians.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON who confirmed the expiration of the agreement said “though our agreement with Lagos State government on smart city initiative expired in December 2015, but we have agreed with LASIMRA that the terms of that agreement should subsist in respect of our members seeking right of way approval till when the parties involved are able to come together to review and renew it.”

On why MainOne an InfraCo operator is facing difficulty in securing Right of Way approval from the state, Adebayo, said that it is their general understanding that there should not be differential treatment between ALTON members and InfraCo operator who is not a member of ALTON. Why is MainOne, an InfraCo operator facing difficulty in securing Right of Way approval from the state.

“InfraCo operator is by extension member of ALTON, therefore should enjoy the benefit of the MoU. We don’t expect different treatment for infraCo operator,” he said.

He noted that his association is not aware of the challenges MainOne is facing with LASMIRA on ‘right of way’ issues.

All efforts to get Mrs. Olasunbo, public relation officer, LASMIRA reaction on why her agency was treating MainOne different from ALTON members was not fruitful as at the time of going to press.

Adesola Adesugba of Marketing Communications, MainOne’s however, gave the Company’s stance on the issue to Daily Times thus: “MainOne has no issues with LASIMRA or LASG on the deployment of fiber infrastructure. We have received the Lagos Infraco license from the NCC and are working with the State Government and the relevant agencies to obtain the relevant permits and coordinate the implementation of the project. As the media can appreciate, this project will require significant works in Lagos and therefore needs proper coordination.

“MainOne remains a member in good standing of ALTON and there is nothing to report to ALTON at this time.”