The Theme of the event is “ Optimizing The Benefits of Telecoms Infrastructure in Nigeria”.
The Forum is an initiative of the NCC aimed at addressing the Challenges of deploying Telecom Infrastructure and services amongst other things.
In his Keynote Address, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC represented by Mr Sunday Dare, the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) stated that, “ Multiple Taxation and Multiple Regulations across several MDAs has remained the greatest impediment to achieving our technology infrastructure objectives”
Danbatta stressed that there are two expectations from this session:
1. We want your buy-in to promote the message that telecoms infrastructure are critical to the socio-economic progress of our states and people.
2. We want to gain a better understanding of local challenges in Edo and surrounding states so that we can collectively address them effectively and efficiently.
He assured participants that the “ NCC is here to listen to what the people are going to say and, be willing to take all necessary measures to facilitate the optimization of the benefits of telecom infrastructure in Nigeria for all stakeholders in order enhance the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Two papers were presented to set the tone of the event and give participants insight into the importance of telecoms infrastructure:
“Legal Framework for Telecoms Infrastructure Rollout” by Paul Usoro, SAN, a legal practitioner, presented Barr. Sixtus Onuka.
“Harmonization of Taxation/ Regulation on Telecoms Infrastructure” by Prof. Abiola Sanni, a Tax Expert.
The Parliament was well attended by Network Operators, ALTON Representatives, State Representatives from across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta & Edo States and other relevant stakeholders in the Industry.