GUARDIAN NG
The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has reaffirmed the Commission’s collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and relevant security agencies in telecommunication-linked crimes in the country.
He however stated that the degree of success achieved so far could not be celebrated openly yet.
Meanwhile, the commission is considering the deployment of satellite broadband to provide the necessary coverage across the country and drive the attainment of the 70 percent Broadband penetration target by 2025.
Speaking during an introductory meeting with the media in Abuja, Maida also assured that the Commission was in the process of combating illegal Subscriber Identity Mode (SIM) in the country, noting that sanctions would be meted against identified culprits.
The EVC also warned that by the end of February, most SIMs not linked to National Identity Number (NIN) will be deactivated and thereby, cease to work.
He said, ‘Pre-registered or illegally registered SIM has been a challenge for a long time. In 2021, there was a policy to link NIN with SIMs thinking that such will take care of the problem but people in the value chain lashed on loophole. By the end of this month, SIMs without NIN will no longer work”,
Speaking on network tariffs and other irregularities on the part of licensed network providers, the EVC said the Commission is equally collaborating with the industry players. He however assured consumers of their loyalty, stressing that the NCC’s allegiance is first to Nigerians.
“We need to put smile back on the faces of consumers. NCC is clear on this; we need to protect the interest of consumers. They remain number one because that is where you extract values from. Yet, interest of licensed operators will also be protected while we put eyes on their activities to see the level of compliance.”
“Right now, there are certain exercise for compliance or enforcement which we move base from the schedule. If we build the capability whereby we are able to see things as they unfold, then it is no longer a schedule, it goes to where the problem is.
“That capability is what we are currently building and I intend to hold the operators accountable. We don’t need new regulation for that, it is already there but we are going to start with collaboration and hopefully, we can get wins from both sides.”
Adding: “Be rest assured that consumer is number one priority for us but I think we also need to understand that this is an industry that needs to attract investments, which means that the interest of the licensee as stated in the Act can so also be protected.
