ATCON Is The link Between Its Members And All Tiers Of Government In Nigeria
News Highlights:
- ATCON is convening a landmark Strategic Stakeholders meeting with state commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of ICT Agencies in Abuja.
- The meeting aims to harness states’ potential through technical efficiencies in the telecom and ICT sectors.
- Discussions at the meeting aimed at advancing broadband access, policy formulation, and sector development across Nigeria.
The National Executive Council of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) will hold a one-day Strategic Stakeholders meeting with the 36 state commissioners including the FCT, Permanent Secretaries & Heads of ICT Agencies.
Themed “Harnessing States Potential through the Applications of Technical Efficiencies,” the meeting according to a statement signed by ATCON President, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, will hold on July 31, 2024, in Abuja.
Already, over 20 state commissioners including FCT, Permanent Secretaries & Heads of ICT Agencies have confirmed their active participation at this revolutionary industry event for telecom and ICT companies in Nigeria.
ATCON said it remains the link between its member companies and all tiers of government in Nigeria and pledged to continue to interface with all relevant government agencies to facilitate new policies for the growth of the Nigerian telecoms and ICT sector.
“It is crystal clear that the role of connectivity in driving innovation and digital economy cannot be overemphasized, therefore, state governments need to work with telecoms operators to ensure that all hindrances and bottlenecks to pervasive and ubiquitous broadband are completely eradicated through constructive dialogue.
“The strategic objectives of the Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting are to discuss the status of the Nigerian National Broadband of 2020 to 2025 and 2023 – 2027 Strategic Blueprint of Dr. Bosun Tijani with respect to its objectives and targets,” Emoekpere said.
He listed some of the objectives and targets including Influencing its members to have a presence in all states of the federation as well as encouraging capital importation to states that are ready for development which is enabled by communications, innovation, and digital economy; getting states buying in the actualization of programmes, initiatives, and activities targeted at pushing the frontiers of Telecommunications infrastructure developments in all the states of the federation.
The objectives also include establishing an approved method for resolving issues related to right of way, multiple taxation, and other related concerns. This involves signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) to ensure that there will be no destruction or shutdown of base stations across Nigeria.
Additionally, the collaboration with state governments aims to accelerate development and progress in all states, enhancing broadband penetration in all sectors of the economy, and addressing poverty and unemployment issues faced by state governments.
Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Dr. Bosun Tijani Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Barr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territorty (FCT), and Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have been invited to play key roles during the conversation.
Some selected Telecom CEOs, Commissioners and Heads of Agencies would serve as panel discussants.