One of the cardinal points in the Lagos State agenda is technology revolution that turns the state into a smart city.
With this in place, the state is expected to be covered with broadband internet that would be deployed into homes, offices and every nook and cranny of the city.
However, to make this a reality, there is need for fibre optic cable to drive the required internet penetration.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the country needs about 120,000 kilometres of additional fibre optic cables to meet the 70 per cent broadband penetration set by the New National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2025. Currently, there is fewer than 60,000 kilometres and about 40,000 additional Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) across the country.
On its own, Lagos State government said it has deployed about 6,000 kilometers of fibre optic cables to drive its smart city agenda. The city is targeting 2030 to be fully covered with internet.
Earlier at a forum in Lagos, the NCC Executive Commissioner (Stakeholders’ Management), Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, said Lagos State Government needs to collaborate with the NCC in the deployment of the telecom infrastructure, noting that the state is the hub of telecoms and technology activities in Nigeria.
The NCC Commissioner, who noted huge infrastructure deficit in the country, said: “For instance, we need over 120,000 additional kilometres of Fibre Optic Cables from the current figure of fewer than 60,000 kilometres and about 40,000 additional Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to meet the NNBP targets by the year 2025.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said his government is committed to improving the provision of adequate infrastructure to fast-track the Smart City Project to optimize the limitless opportunity of a fully digitized economy.
The governor noted that the bedrock of a functional Smart City is adequate and functional infrastructure.
He said: “Our administration’s commitment to the smart city project is through the deployment of cutting edge technology to bring about improved and effective governance as well as providing the necessary infrastructure to support the widespread application of technology to create opportunities and enhance socio-economic growth.”
He added that one of the key pillars of his administration’s agenda is making Lagos a 21st-century economy, noting that a requirement to achieve this goal is technology, especially the availability of efficient and reliable internet service.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, stated that it is for this reason that his government placed a high premium on the 6000 kilometers of fibre optic cable, aimed at improving access to functional, efficient and affordable internet service.
According to him, a number of private initiatives are already springing up with huge investments that will deliver high speed and efficient internet service.
To realize the Smart City dream, the governor revealed that the state has recently re-launched its residents’ card, adding that the new residents’ card is an upgraded version of the former ordinary plastic to a smart card with embedded features for multipurpose uses in addition to identification purposes.
He added that in June last year, his administration created a seamless payment system for the multimodal transport system with the launch of Cowry Card, to ensure the digitization of key government services, processes and procedures to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency.
The governor, however, commended the management of LASIMRA for sustaining a cordial relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
He stressed that the relationship and collaboration have been of great impact on the State, underscoring the need for good and harmonious cooperation between the federal and state agencies.
Meanwhile, based on the huge financial requirement in the deployment of telecom infrastructures, the Group Chief Operating Officer, WTES Project Ltd, Chidi Ajuzie, said the only way to go is to encourage public-private collaboration.
He stressed the importance of private investors, emphasizing that PPP is catalyst to the development of telecoms infrastructure, saying investment in such infrastructures is beyond the government.
While commending the Lagos State Government on the move for the deployment of infrastructure, Ajuzie urged other state governments to emulating the initiative and encourage private investment in the deployment of telecom infrastructure, saying it is through such that the economy of the country could be revived and grown.
He also urged the government to see to the implementation of the Dig Once Policy in the state, saying if properly implemented, the policy would fast track private investment in telecom infrastructure.
He noted that the infrastructure especially the fibre optic cables are needed to expand penetration to the unserved and underserved areas across the state.