No More N145/ Linear Meter: Katsina Declares Free Telecom Charges to Attract ICT, Others

• Katsina state has waived the Right of Way charges for telecommunication firms
• The charges are generally paid before laying optic fibres in any part of the state
• It is expected that the development will attract investments for the state

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market

The Katsina state government has waived telecommunication firms' Right of Way charges.

The charges are usually paid before laying optic fibres in any part of the state.

Ibrahim Kaula, the chief press secretary to Governor Dikko Radda, said this is part of efforts to woo telecominvestors to the state.

Free of charge per linear metre now free

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Kaula said the development followed the governor's signature of the Right of Way (RoW) charges Regulation Order 2023, according to a Punch report.

The order was issued to execute the governor's authority granted by Section (5)2 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“This order may be cited as the Right of Way (RoW) charges (Regulation) Order and shall be deemed to come into effect on December 8, 2023.

“From the commencement of the Order, charges on Right of Way (RoW) throughout the state shall be free of charge per linear metre,” he stated.

According to him, the RoW charge fixed by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) is N145 per linear meter.

While some states imposed higher fees than that, he noted that Radda's most recent order had made it free in Katsina state.

He said the move will soon attract investments for Katsina, especially in ICT and internet development.

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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that telecom operators clamoured for an increase in how much Nigerians are paying for data and calls

“50k per second”: MTN, Airtel, other telecos hint at tariff increase amid huge debt by banks

Legit.ng reported that the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) revealed on Thursday, November 16, 2023, that the current tariff regime in the sector was no longer sustainable.

ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, revealed this in Lagos at a stakeholders’ meeting with the newly confirmed Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida.

Adebayo said price review should be considered following rising costs, adding that multiple nationwide taxes burden operators.

Source: Legit.ng