The Federal Government has said it will support and create enabling environment for telecommunications industry to thrive.
The Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu stated this Wednesday in his Office when Tier Two (Broadband) Telecom Operators paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Tier two operators in Nigeria are Smile Communications, Spectranet, ntel and Swift Networks.
Shittu, who identified with the challenges the operators are facing, said relevant steps would be taken to look into it.
He added that ICT is critical to the government and data is a way of life to all citizens irrespective of either government or private activities.
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He assured the operators that government would do everything possible to see that Tier Two Telecoms (Broadband) Providers do not close shops.
The Minister seized the opportunity of their visit to invite them to partner with the Ministry in the establishment of ICT Development Bank, and to adopt a campus of the ICT University, and the establishment of ICT Exhibition Park.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation who is also the Managing Director of Smile Communications, Godfrey Efeurhobo, commended the FG for its passion for ICT and its role to see that ICT is being used to revive the country’s economy.
But Mr Efeurhobo requested the government to help the operators in solving various challenges that the Telecom Companies face like.
He said operating cost which has gone up to eighty percent has brought about shock in their businesses, adding that the government should put in place palliatives that would cushion most of the challenges they faced in their business.
He pleaded that FG granted them tax holiday, and to give them easy access to foreign exchange.
He said they were still finding it very difficult to access forex due to not being listed among companies having direct access to source for dollars.
