ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State says the Executive Council has granted private fiber optics company to operate with a zero ₦aira per linear meter Right of Way (RoW) charge.
A statement issued by the Commissioner of Communications and Digital Economy, Sulaiman Isah on Monday, made available to ASHENEWS, said, the move is to enhance digital infrastructure in the state.
“This landmark decision signals the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment conducive to private sector investment and technological advancement. In exchange for this unprecedented RoW charge exemption, the private fiber optics company has pledged to install a 40-kilometer fiber metro ring across the state capital.
“The company has committed to providing public Wi-Fi services, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity, fixed telephony, and internet access at all state-owned tertiary institutions within the metro ring.
“This initiative is set to significantly boost digital connectivity and empower students and faculty with enhanced access to information and communication technologies,” the Commissioner said.
“While the standard RoW charge in Niger State remains at N145 per linear meter, as per the 2022 gazette of the consolidated revenue administration law, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago and his cabinet members recognize the paramount importance of digital infrastructure in driving economic growth,” the statement further reads.
Isah emphasized the government’s dedication to initiatives that prioritize the welfare and interests of the people.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting proposals that do not rely on state resources for financing and underscored the significance of private sector drivers in advancing sustainable digital infrastructure provisioning.
“Niger State is proud to position itself as a sub-national prototype state, offering an enabling environment for private sector innovation.
“By embracing forward-thinking policies and fostering collaborative partnerships, the state is poised to unlock new opportunities and propel itself towards a prosperous future.
An optical fiber, or optical fiber, is a flexible glass or plastic fiber that can transmit light from one end to the other. Such fibers find wide usage in fiber-optic communications, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data transfer rates) than electrical cables.
Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss and are immune to electromagnetic interference. Fibers are also used for illumination and imaging, and are often wrapped in bundles so they may be used to carry light into, or images out of confined spaces, as in the case of a fiberscope. Specially designed fibers are also used for a variety of other applications, such as fiber optic sensors and fiber lasers.
