Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has expressed sadness over the condition of telecommunication operators in the country and has called on the government to ensure the most critical aspects are addressed urgently.
ATCON listed some of the intractable issues to include multiple taxation, right-of-way (RoW) bottlenecks, and infrastructure vandalism, saying they are seriously hampering the sector’s growth.
The association, at its 31st-anniversary dinner held in Lagos, weekend, expressed concerns that the issues have remained persistent for too long while the country moves on like the effects are not weighty enough.
Speaking at the event, ATCON’s President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, stressed the need for urgent action to overcome these challenges, unlock the sector’s full potential, and ensure sustainability for national development.
READ ALSO:
How Pope Escaped Two Assassination Attempts In Iraq
ONE LIFT IN HIS CAR, 15 STORY IDEAS; ELEMURE FOR AYO OJO AT 50!
‘Ekaale Nigeria,’ Full Speech Of Ademola Lookman That Set The Internet On Fire
Who-Won-What: Full List Of 2024 CAF Award Winners
Is the Port Harcourt Refinery now Born Again?, By Simbo Olorunfemi
The event also celebrated notable people who have contributed handsomely to the growth of the telecom sector, unveiling the 100 Leading Personalities in Nigerian Telecoms.
It also honoured former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his digital transformation initiatives in Edo State during his term which just ended.
Industry challenges threaten growth
In his address, Emoekpere emphasized the critical role of telecommunications in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation but lamented the systemic issues stifling progress.
Our industry has the potential to transform every aspect of Nigerian society,” Emoekpere said.
“However, challenges such as multiple taxation, right-of-way bottlenecks, and infrastructure vandalism are discouraging investment and stifling growth.”
He highlighted overlapping taxes imposed by federal, state, and local governments as a major issue, saying:
“This creates a hostile operating environment, stifling innovation and hindering broadband expansion across the country.”
On RoW, Emoekpere explained that bureaucratic delays and excessive costs complicate infrastructure deployment, while vandalism of critical telecom facilities leads to financial losses and service disruptions for both operators and consumers.
To address these issues, he proposed a harmonized Taxation Policies; eliminating redundancies and enhanced measures to attract investments. He also advocated a streamlined RoW approval to accelerate infrastructure deployment and enhanced security measures to protect critical telecom infrastructure.
According to Emoekpere: “The Nigerian telecom industry is at a crossroads. Emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT present unprecedented opportunities, but foundational challenges must be resolved to harness their benefits fully.”
NCC reassures stakeholders
Reacting to the call, Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC, of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, acknowledged the sector’s achievements despite these challenges and assured that the NCC is actively working to foster growth and sustainability in the industry.
Obaseki’s digital transformation
Meanwhile, the highpoint of the event was when former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was awarded ATCON Governor of the year 2024. Obaseki was said to have merited the award due to his groundbreaking achievements in the state since he became governor in 2016. When given the opportunity to speak on the award, an excited Obaseki said the telecom sector one was of the critical sectors any governor should invest in, if he or she wants to engender growth.
He urged state governors to prioritize investments in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, and the Internet of Things, IoT.
He highlighted how his administration transformed Edo State through innovative digital reforms, saying: “Our efforts to digitize governance and embrace emerging technologies in Edo State are yielding remarkable results.
“We launched the Edo State e-governance platform, making Edo the first sub-national entity in Nigeria to operate a fully digital administration. We also established the Edo Data Center and Innovation Hub, fostering entrepreneurship and digital skills development. This is in addition to modernising education through the EdoBEST program and automating healthcare services with electronic health records and telemedicine.
Emoekpere, commended Obaseki’s contributions, describing Edo State’s reform as a model for other states to emulate. He told Obaseki: “Your commitment to digital excellence has set a benchmark for leveraging technology to improve governance, public services, and citizen empowerment”.
ATCON’s anniversary celebration served as a call to action for stakeholders to resolve the challenges facing Nigeria’s telecom sector to enable the country enjoy a fostering innovation, attract investments, and collaboration, the industry can play a transformative role in achieving Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading digital economy in Africa.
