The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has said that executive order aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure across the country is underway.
He made this known today in his keynote address at a virtual forum organised by Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON).
The forum themed: “Meeting the interests of Government, Consumers and Telecoms and ICT Companies in the era of COVID-19 and post COVID-19 pandemic for digital economy development”, is aimed at finding a mutually beneficial common ground for every interest in the sector.
Pantami explained that executive order for protecting telecommunications infrastructure across the country has been reviewed by the relevant authorities, awaiting presidential assent.
He said that his administration is committed to protection of the right of citizen, most especially telecom consumers who are struggling at the hands of mobile operators in the country.
Pantami further expressed that his ministry is currently working on a policy that would reinforce existing Executive Order 003 and 005 to ensure priority is given expertise.
According to him: “In the ministry, we always try to strike a balance by protecting the interest of consumers and citizens on one hand and the telecoms companies on the other”.
“In order to create an enabling environment for both investors and consumers, the Federal Government has intervened by enacting policies to protect telecommunications infrastructure, review the cost of Right of Way (RoW) to the barest minimum and also put measures in place to eradicate illegal or multiple taxation.
“The consumer is king and they must be consulted and their rights protected” he said.
Also speaking at the virtual event, the President of ATCON, Olusola Teniola commended the minister for his unprecedented interventions in every issue that has hitherto plagued and constituted a setback to the sector.
Teniola expressed optimism that with Pantami’s interventions and support, the challenges of Quality of Service, price of data and broadband penetration will improve considerably.
He pledged the association’s support to the initiatives and strategies of the Honourable Minister in ensuring that the industry operates in line with global best practice.
