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Senate expresses worry over bombing of telecom facilities

By on March 24, 2013

Nigeria’s Senate has expressed concern over the spate of bombing and vandalization of telecom facilities across the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on communications, Senator Prince Gilbert Nnaji made the observation during the Nigeria Communications Commission’s day at the on-going Enugu International Trade Fair.

He applauded the commitment of the NCC towards the growth of the telecom industry in the country, but expressed regards that such effort was still being sabotaged by bombers.

He assured the commission of the Senate’s support and enjoined it not to relent in its regulatory efforts to consolidate the gains of telecoms industry in Nigeria.

The Senator stated that the National Assembly was working to make enabling laws that would help in safeguarding telecom facilities in the country.

“As a committee, it is our resolve to provide all the necessary legislative support needed by the commission to ensure that it is able to fulfill its mandates as spelt out in NCA 2003.

“In so doing, we have decided to consult and collaborate with the commission and other stakeholders in the industry to conduct a holistic review of the enabling Act.

“Furthermore, worried by the spate of bombing and wanton destruction of telecom facilities and installations, our committee is working with the commission and the ministry of communications technology to bring the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) bill to fruition”.

“Let me also implore individuals and groups which include subscribers to the various networks to desist from acts capable of impending smooth delivery of telecoms services. I plead with them to refrain from wanton destruction of telecoms installations and other associated vices”, he added.

Earlier, Mr. Sunday Atu, the leader of the NCC team at the fair disclosed that the telecom industry had witnessed a revolutionary growth in Nigeria by growing to about 113 million lines within a short period of time, noting that such development “ranks Nigeria as the fastest telecom growing country in Africa and one of the highest in the whole world”.

He stated that while holding fast to its regulatory powers, the NCC had continued to provide a level playing ground for all the operators, “this has given room to viable completion and it has also ensured that Nigerians have access to quality telecom services”.

According to Atu, the NCC was equally committed to ensuring that telecom services are provided to Nigerians in rural areas, adding that it had also provided the state accelerated broadband initiative, which ensures network connectivity of all state capitals.

On the relationship between telecom operators and consumers, he said: “the NCC through the consumer parliament brings the operators and the consumers together, where complaints are made and tackled. It is also an avenue for consumers to know their rights”.