A bill to regulate the erection of telecommunication mast in Nasarawa State has passed second reading
The Bill for a Law to Make Provision for Right of Way in Nasarawa State and for Other Matters Connected There to” is aimed at regulating the erection of masts and laying of fibre lines by telecom providers in Nasarawa State.
The State Lawmakers while speaking on the content of the bill say that the proposed law will also take into considerations the health implications and revenue benefits of the telecommunications activities in the State.
Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House announced the passage of the bill into second reading during the House proceedings today in Lafia.
He said that the bill if passed would regulate mounting of masks and laying of optic fibres (cables) in the State.
The Speaker also said that the bill if passed would also generate more revenue to the coffers of the state government.
The Speaker committed the bill to the House Committee on Information and that of Environment to work on the bill an report back to the House on February 28th, 2024.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara while giving the substance of the bill said that the bill is all about giving legal permission to individuals by the government to utilize land, especially telecommunication and other MDAs to give out lands for the said purposes.
He explained that the action is also to regulate the right of way of investors on telecommunications.
” ThIs bill, if passed will also generate revenue to the state government and beneficial to the communities and the state at large, he said
Contributing, Hon Daniel Ogazi, Hon Esson Mairiga, Hon Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Hon Musa Ibrahim and Hon Jacob Kudu said that the bill was apt considering its importance to the society, especially as it relates to individuals, communities and the state at large.
They also agree that the bill if passed, would increase the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.
The House thereafter unanimously passed the bill into second reading.
Some seliant issues raised in the Executive Bill centred on the facts that it will provide a comprehensive data of all the telecommunications masks and optic fibres in the State, regulate how they are mounted or cables are laId, and it will also give room for revenue collection from the companies.
The bill is also said to be inline with the national policy on regulation of telecommunications in Nigeria.