By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As part of its move to sanitize Anambraโs digital ecosystem and protect residents from security threats and poor service quality, the Anambra State Government has launched a coordinated crackdown on illegal Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating within the state without proper licenses or approvals.
The clampdown, which is being championed through the joint efforts of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) and the Anambra State ICT Agency, follows mounting concerns and reports of unauthorized road and sidewalk excavations as well as the indiscriminate erection of poles by unscrupulous operators.
According to statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by the Management of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) and the Anambra State ICT Agency, observations and official investigations revealed that several ISPs have been illegally laying infrastructure and delivering services without obtaining the required permissions from regulatory bodies, including the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), and without engaging relevant state authorities.
The state government agencies described such unauthorized operations as dangerous, as they not only risk deface public infrastructure but also expose residents to serious dangers, including data breaches, service disruptions, and infrastructural damage.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Chairman/Managing Director of ANSPPB, Barr. Chike Maduekwe explained that the crackdown was not about shutting anyone out of business but ti ensure that everyone plays by the rules.
โThis isnโt about shutting anyone out. Itโs about ensuring everyone plays by the rules. If you want to offer internet services in Anambra, go through the proper channels.
โWe will support those doing the right thing, but we will not fold our arms and watch people cut corners or convert the digital momentum generated by the Solution Government into inertia,โ he stated.
Similarly reacting, the Managing Director and CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), stressed the importance of accountability in building a secure and trusted digital environment.
In his words, โBuilding a secure digital environment begins with accountability. The Internet is no longer a luxury, itโs a necessity. Our people deserve services from providers they can trust. We’re committed to protecting our citizens while enabling fair competition in the tech ecosystem.โ
Barr. Maduekwe and Agbata further re-emphasized that the ultimate goal of the enforcement action is to foster a fair, competitive, and well-regulated digital economy in Anambra, where only licensed and qualified ISPs operate, and where residents can enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality internet service without exploitation or risk.
As part of the crackdown, the duo, through the statement, urged the citizens to assist the government in identifying unlicensed activities by reporting suspicious ISP operations through the official hotlines: 08062533672 or 02014143039.
It was further gathered that the crackdown also aligns with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludoโs broader vision of making Anambra a digitally secure, economically vibrant, and livable homeland, where innovation thrives within the boundaries of law and order.
โThe Anambra State Government remains resolute in fostering a safe, fair, and well-regulated digital economy, one where residents can enjoy reliable internet services without fear of exploitation or compromise. Letโs all work together to safeguard Anambraโs digital future,โ the statement concluded.
