Anambra State Digital Infrastructure Bill

Purpose

To establish a framework for treating high-speed broadband as economic utility infrastructure across Anambra State.

Problem Statement

Broadband access across Anambra State is uneven and largely unplanned, leaving markets, schools and businesses dependent on inconsistent mobile data rather than reliable fixed connectivity.

Legislative Objectives

• Establish a framework for fibre deployment prioritised by economic and public-service use.
• Support public Wi-Fi zones at priority markets and civic facilities.
• Ensure school and market connectivity ahead of the 2030 SEZ readiness assessment.
• Begin planning for future data-centre and cloud infrastructure needs.

Definitions

Connectivity Priority Site

A market, school, health facility or government facility identified for early-phase connectivity statewide, with Nnewi South I prioritised under the Nnewi South Connected 2030 policy.

Proposed Provisions

1. 1.A published methodology for identifying Connectivity Priority Sites, ranked by economic and public-service impact.
2. 2.A framework for telecom and internet-service-provider partnerships to extend fibre and fixed-wireless access.
3. 3.Provision for public Wi-Fi zones at priority markets and civic buildings.
4. 4.Early-stage planning provisions for future data-centre and cloud infrastructure, tied to the 2029 SEZ Master Plan.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Relevant State ministry responsible for digital infrastructure and innovation, coordinating statewide with licensed telecom operators and the relevant federal ministry responsible for communications and the digital economy.
• Office of the Member representing Nnewi South I to advocate for early-phase connectivity at its markets, schools and health facilities.

Financing Implications

Primarily structured around telecom and private-sector investment, with government's role focused on right-of-way facilitation, demand aggregation and co-investment in public Wi-Fi zones at priority civic sites.

Implementation Mechanism

2027: Broadband Assessment and Connectivity Priority Site list published. 2028–2029: phased statewide connectivity rollout, with Nnewi South I prioritised under the Nnewi South Connected 2030 policy.

Monitoring Mechanism

Tracked under the Digital category of the Accountability Dashboard: schools connected, markets connected, public facilities connected, fibre coverage.

Expected Outcomes

• Reliable fixed connectivity at priority markets, schools and health facilities.
• A published, ranked connectivity roadmap replacing ad hoc rollout.
• A digital-infrastructure baseline for the 2029 SEZ Master Plan.

Legal Considerations

This proposal is intended to operate within the legislative competence of the Anambra State House of Assembly and in conformity with applicable federal law, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Land Use Act, the Public Procurement Act and relevant sector legislation. Final drafting will be reviewed by legislative counsel prior to introduction. Telecommunications infrastructure deployment will be coordinated with the Nigerian Communications Commission's regulatory framework and relevant right-of-way charges guidance.