Reps probe NCC over inability to spread Telecom Services across Nigeria

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to set up an Adhoc Committee to probe the inability of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to promote the spread of telecommunication services in the country.

The House resolution followed a motion of Urgent Public Importance moved at plenary by Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun, on the ‘Need To Investigated the Non-Provision of Mobile Telecommunication Network Services to the Underserved and Unserved Areas of Nigeria by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Presenting the motion, the Lawmaker noted that Section 3 of the Nigerian Communications Act, Cap. N97, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, established the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with the responsibility of regulating the communications sector in Nigeria.

He further noted that by the provisions Section 4 of the Nigerian Communications Act, Cap. N97, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is saddled with the responsibility of facilitating investments in and entry into the Nigerian market for provision and supply of communication services, equipment and facilities.

“Aware that in the wake of the rapid expansions of the Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) in Nigeria, most of the mobile telecommunication network operators were reluctant to move to the rural areas owing to business considerations. Also aware that the Nigerian Communications Act, Cap. N97, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, empowers the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to receive two and a half per cent (2.5%) of the annual turnover of the mobile telecommunication network operators as annual license renewal fee. Further aware that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is expected to utilize the funds generated from the contributions of mobile telecommunication network operators, for implementing Universal Access Strategy and programme in accordance with the Federal government policy of ensuring that telecommunications services penetrates all nooks and crannies of the country”. He said.

He noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its own, decided to contribute 40% of the fund generated from the 2.5% annual turnover from mobile telecommunication network operators translating to 1% of the annual turnover of the operators to the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a practice common throughout Africa.

According to him, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), is to be used to build infrastructure in the underserved and unserved areas of Nigeria, which can subsequently be made available to the mobile telecommunication network operators, who will in turn utilize such infrastructure in serving the areas that are hitherto underserved and unserved.

The Lawmaker further informed that the first major infrastructure project attempted by the NCC in this regard was the Emergency Response System (ERS), which led to the construction of Emergency

Communications Centers all over the country, with little or no results, although the contract was awarded in millions of US dollars with annual fiscal appropriations for the said project.

He said that he was disturbed that the inability of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to utilize the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to promote the widespread availability and usage of network services and applications throughout Nigeria as enshrined in Section 112 of the Nigerian

Communications Act, Cap N97, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is a great disservice to the nation.

The House therefore resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the failure/inability of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to promote widespread availability and usage of mobile telecommunication network services throughout Nigeria, including the underserved and unserved areas and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.