By Frank Momoh
As pervasive excitement keeps spreading like the harmattan wind across the telecommunications sector, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, on Wednesday received KPMG’s interim report on sustainability of the telecommunications industry, moving forward.
Recall that industry stakeholders towards the tail end of last year opined on the need to chart a fresh impetus through what the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said has become inevitable for government to map out sustainable strategies for the industry to avoid collapse in the coming years.
In what appeared an alignment with the growing concerns as expressed by some Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), the Minister in his wisdom settled for KPMG, a world class consulting firm to handle the sustainability architecture for the industry among others.
Recall also that the raging debate over the necessity to hike tariff in the sector was put paid on (Wednesday) as the Minister and the Nigerian Communications Commission resolved on an amicable note to jack up the cost of services being rendered by operators and players in the sector.
Tijani, while receiving the report underscored that Federal Government would evolve a balance between sustainability of the industry and the efficiency and availability of connectivity for consumers.
The Minister reiterated: “Today, I welcome consultants from KPMG Nigeria and SimmonsCooper Partners as they shared an interim report on the sustainability of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.”
According to him, government is working on striking a balance on quality and experience of service for through meaningful connectivity.
On enhancing the digital economy drive, the Minister said, government is determined to provide internet service as a human right obligation for every Nigerian.
Acknowledging the essence and timeliness of the delivery by KPMG, he added that terms of reference hovered around sustainability of the sector and what is going to do to move the sector to the next level in aspiration to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the meeting convened at the instance of the Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, acknowledged that the percentage increase will soon be make known to Nigerians.
