Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has identified the exclusion of critical telecoms infrastructures from Abuja Master plan, as contributory factor to the persistent poor quality of network services in major parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Engineer Gbenga Adebayo, chairman ALTON, made the remark during a breakfast dialogue with Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) in Lagos, insisting that the Federal Government needs to review the master plan to make provision for the deployment of cell sites in the City.
Following recommendations by Justice Akinola Aguda Panel in 1975, the Federal Government established the Federal Capital Development Authority in 1976 which commissioned a US-based IPA Group, to prepare a draft Master Plan for the new Federal Capital of Nigeria.
The Master Plan of Abuja by IPA, completed in 1979 according to FCDA, is now undergoing review by Messrs. Albert Speers Partners in collaboration with four other Nigerian Town Planning Consultants, namely, Multi-system Consultant, Austin Aike & Partners Fola Konsult and Benna Associate.
ALTON claimed that the Master plan has no provision for modern technologies to drive telecommunications services in the FCT thereby causing poor quality of service and limiting operator’s ability to expand operations.
