FG Orders Security Agencies To Protect Telecom Infrastructure – Pantami

The information was disclosed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami while speaking at Airtel Touching Lives Season 5 Premiere in Lagos on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

In his words, “Being the Minister in-charge of our Communications and Digital Economy, I know the challenges facing mobile network operators like the issue of protection of telecom equipment as critical national infrastructure; vandalisation of the infrastructure like the fibre optic cables.

“The Federal Government has been working on improving the security and safety of the infrastructure. At the same time, the Federal Government has mandated the security agencies to protect the critical telecommunications infrastructure all over the country.

“A letter has been conveyed to all the security agencies to make sure that telecommunications infrastructure are protected all over Nigeria. This is one of the steps we have taken to ensure that investments in the telecoms sector are protected.

“Secondly, on the issue of Right of Way (RoW), on January 21st I had the privilege of addressing the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) through their chairman, the Governor of Ekiti State (Dr. Kayode Fayemi). We discussed extensively and intensively on the issue of RoW. After the deliberations, the Chairman said ‘Minister of Communications & Digital Economy I assure you from today, the issue of RoW is resolved. You do not need to come here again to complain on this’.

“In addition, some Governors in that meeting clearly stated they are willing to give weavers to any mobile operator willing to lay fibre optic cables in their respective States for broadband connectivity. Before I left that meeting two Governors indicated their interest to give weaver whenever the telcos are ready. They also agreed that as long as they are going to charges for the RoW, it will be between Zero Naira to N145 (per linear meter) as agreed during the National Economic Council meeting. So, this is another issue which I think has been resolved and will go a long way in supporting our mobile network operators to continue to invest more; ensure there is more broadband penetration

On the issue of multiple taxation, the Minister said, “This was also discussed there (at the NGF meeting) which I have directed the EVC that was there with me to immediately put it in writing to see what can be done to harmonise some of the taxes. These are critical steps the federal Government has followed to resolve the challenges you are facing. This is like an encouragement to do to do more in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and invest more here in Nigeria.

He further described the Airtel Touching Lives initiative as a very important and commendable CSR programme.

“I commend Airtel for this initiative. Without making CSR enforceable in Nigeria, and for a company like Airtel (Nigeria) to come up with this initiative, I think they deserve the appreciation”, Pantami said.

Dr Pantam maintained that givers never lack. He said, ” the Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility Include brand recognition; improved reputation of the Company; improved image and customer loyalty.

Present at the gathering was the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Ghana, represented by the Ghana Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ooni of Ife: Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi among others.