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Airtel Nigeria to raise investments in infrastructure to $1billion

By on October 18, 2011

Airtel Nigeria has revealed plans to raise its investments in networks and information technology infrastructure in the country to $ 1 billion by the end of March 2012.

The move, according to the company, was part of efforts to expand its foothold in the Nigeria’s information and communications technology landscape.

Specifically, the investment would be used to increase its Base Transceiver Stations, network roll out, infrastructure upgrade, improve working environment.

Airtel’s Chairman, Oba Otudeko, made the disclosure in Lagos at the weekend at a sendforth dinner organised by the telecommunications company in honour of Dr. Alex Otti, a former board member and current group chief executive officer, Diamond Bank Plc.

Otudeko, who said the Nigerian telecommunications sector is experiencing positive changes and  growth, urged that, the tempo must be sustained, stressing that this can only be achieved through improved regulatory functions devoid of any limitations.

According to him, Nigerians deserve the very best of service, stressing that operators should try as much as possible to improve on service delivery through network upgrades and various expansion drives.

The Airtel’s Chairman, who said, the telecommunications company has introduced services that will meet the growing demands of its customers, noted that for more improved services, the Airtel would be investing in more in the country.

“The plan, and of course I should know, is that Airtel would have invested $1 billion in networks and IT infrastructure to enhance coverage and capacity and quality by end of March next year,” he stated.

 

The Airtel Nigeria Chairman, who used the occasion to douse the tension surrounding the company over sack of some of its employees in the country for some weeks, said “the telecommunications giant is a responsible employer of labour, which conducts its business concerns in most acceptable professional and ethical manners.”

He added: “Airtel is here to do business professionally and ethically. Airtel will create huge employment opportunities- directly and indirectly- for our teeming young population.”

Otudeko, who is also the Chairman, Honeywell Group, assured the Nigerian public of the commitment of the telecommunications operator of partnerships that can promote development in the country. “We are passionately committed to being responsible partners to the good people of Nigeria, starting with the government and in particular with our valued staff, in a happy, peaceful and harmonious industrial relationship.”

Otudeko also refuted the rumour going round in some parts of the country that Airtel had concluded plans to move out of Nigeria. “I want to assure Nigerians that Airtel is here to stay. Airtel is here to help develop the telecommunications industry. Our commitment to providing world-class quality services, at affordable prices is not negotiable.”

Meanwhile the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has reiterated the commitment of the apex bank to the planned cashless society billed to take off next year with Lagos being the pilot state.

The CBN governor was a special guest at the send forth dinner organised by Airtel Nigeria for Otti.

His words: “We have reached a point in this nation where a combination of banking and telecoms is needed. So far, we have 60,000-80,000 terminals for Lagos. I can assure you by January, the life of Lagosians will change in a significant way because the way we do banking is going to change. This is one fundamental way in which Telecoms and Banking can change the lives of Nigerians. I must thank the telecoms firms for their partnership.”

Sanusi also dismissed the fear in some quarters that some banks in the country may be weak, insisting that “there is no weak bank in Nigeria. All the banks in Nigeria are fully capitalised, we have less than five per cent non-performing ratio while the liquidity ratio is zero.”