IT World • Created August 9, 2018 20:28

Infrastructure firms to get N3billion subsidy, not N23billion, says NCC

The six infrastructure companies (Infracos) which hold licenses to drive the broadband penetration across Nigeria will get N3billion subsidy as soon as they start rollout. This is contrary to a news report on Thursday which quoted the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Garba Danbatta as saying N23billion subsidy would be enjoyed by the infracos. […]

Infrastructure firms to get N3billion subsidy, not N23billion, says NCC
Infrastructure firms to get N3billion subsidy, not N23billion, says NCC

The six infrastructure companies (Infracos) which hold licenses to drive the broadband penetration across Nigeria will get N3billion subsidy as soon as they start rollout.

This is contrary to a news report on Thursday which quoted the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Garba Danbatta as saying N23billion subsidy would be enjoyed by the infracos.

Prof. Danbatta said in an interview that the subsidy was to further deepen and increase the level of country’s broadband penetration which would in turn improve the economy.

“There is more to achieving the maximum target of 30% broadband penetration by 2018 ending. But let me say without fear of contradiction that we have so far surpassed the minimum target of penetration; we are presently at 22%, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and we are doing everything within our power to make the penetration more ubiquitous”, he said.

Meanwhile, the National Economic Council has pegged the cost charged by states on Right of Way before fibre optic cable is laid at N145 per meter, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Garba Danbatta who disclosed this in Abuja said the decision was reached at the last NEC meeting.

Prof Danbatta said “Until there is complete fibre connection across the country we can’t have 30 % penetration. But we will not rest on our oars until broadband is ubiquitous in the country”.

He said the NCC was working with the office of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to see to laying of 18,000 km fiber infrastructure to connect the country together.

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