Communication Operator Tasks RSG On Telecom Ownership

The Rivers State Governor
has been urged to invest in the telecommunication industry,so as to increase revenue base of the state.
The Managing Director, Endykay Communications, Engr. Kelechi Ogirinya, said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said telecom has become the world’s largest income spinner and should be accessed by business minded people and government.
Ogirinya, noted that the industry was also the second largest employer of labour after the oil and gas industry.
According to him, any state government which ventures into the sector would not only increase its revenue base but will reduce unemployment to the barest minimum in the state.
He said the Wike-led government should consider it as  urgent and act swiftly especially this period of economic stagnation.
The telecommunication engineer, suggested that the state could also partner with some private investors to achieve the goal.
He noted that some top players in the industry may want to frustrate the moves, saying that the partnership arrangement would provide a safe landing ground for the state government.
He expressed hope that the state would succeed should the government venture into the project.
According to him, business ventures like telecom takes huge investment and state. Like Rivers can afford to invest in such sector.
Whether there is some existing laws prohibiting the state ownership of telecommunication, he said he was not aware, but partnership or acquiring huge shares would solve the puzzle.
He called for training and re-training of ICT operators  in order to keep them up to-date.