Honourables to Probe NCC’s N 6.1 billion SIM Registration Exercise

The House of Representatives is set to embark on a probe of the N 6.1 billion SIM card registration project as they have indicated there is no recognizable value for money from its execution.

A motion moved by Hon. Abdulrahman Terab reads, “The House notes that SIM cards registered in other people’s names are freely sold in Abuja and in some other parts of Nigeria. It further notes that the essence of registration of SIM cards is for control purposes across the country.

“The House is concerned that if this act continues, it will negate the current effort to get the true identity of mobile phone users in Nigeria. The House is worried that criminals can take advantage of using registered SIM cards to commit crime that can lead to wrongful arrest of innocent citizens by security agents.”

The House has set up an adhoc committee to look into the matter.

The Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has recommended accounting for the N 6.1 billion a pre-condition for the passage of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s 2012 budget.

She said, “This House in 2011 approved N6.1bn for the NCC to carry out SIM registration. The commission must explain to Nigerians how that money was spent, because as it is, we don’t seem to be getting the desired results”