Reps to review Communications Act, seek robust ICT sector

THE House of Representatives has informed of its readiness to review the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, with the aim of expanding its content to be able to accommodate the new developments in the sector.The proposed review, which was announced by the Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo in Lagos, would also take into cognizance, the interest of both operators and consumers of telecommunications services in the country.Ojo said there was need to have a review of every policy guiding Information and communications Technology in Nigeria, stressing that technology has evolved and there is need to move with the pace of developments.According to him, the 2003 Act is not better guided because events have passed it, so there must be a review of it to be able to meet the challenges of the 21st century.'The Act came in 1992 and was reshaped in 2003, which gave power to the regulator, which is binding on all the operators. From 2003 to date, it is not a short time. Many things have happened. It is about nine years and it is so obvious that to move forward, we need to change our tactics. The Act is not well guided because events have passed it.'The Act calls for a constitutional review, because you will realise that there are some aspects of it that must be reviewed if the communications sector must move forward. Lots of amendments must be made on it. We must incorporate new things.'To get this done, the House Committee Chairman on Communications, said the House is prepared to get contributions from the people, stakeholders in the sector and government authorities.According to him, the issue of tariff must be revisited. 'We still pay higher tariffs here, though if you go to the operators, they will tell you they have challenges such as poor power generation; theft; vandalisation, right of way issues among others. So, all these must be revisited. Reason, we shall be calling on all stakeholders to give a lead way into resolving all these challenges. So, they are things, we shall be looking at in reviewing the Act.'On how soon, the review will commence, Ojo said the Committee has approached the House and they are ready for the review. 'I can tell you that in the next one year, the Act should be ready. As you know, the telecoms sector is a very sensitive one. It is not like other sector. It is one that affects over 90 million Nigerians. So all stakeholders, including the environment ministry, security personnel among others must contribute. So between six months and one year, the Act should be ready. The Act will be reviewed inconjunction with the Senate. The review will start in the next one month, by God's grace; the Act should be ready in the next one year.
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