NCC: NIN/SIM Linkage Counter Bandits In Northeast

NCC: NIN/SIM Linkage Counter Bandits In Northeast

TECHDIGEST- With the continued implementation of the National Identity Number (NIN), SIM linkage policy in Nigeria, terrorists, and bandits are being denied access to telecommunication services users, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Mr. Ephraim Nwokonanya, Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, represented by Mr. Alkasim Umar, Head Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, disclosed this at the Commission Headquarters in Abuja during a one-day capacity building for members of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter. Speaking on the NIN-SIM linkage, the threat of Network Booster Devices, and other Commission Compliance, Monitoring, and Enforcement concerns, Mr. Umar stated that the NIN-linkage policy has made significant headway in addressing escalating incidences of insurgency, abduction, and banditry in the country.

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Mr. Umar stated that the introduction of the NIN-SIM has shown to be an effective instrument in tackling the nation’s insecurity issues. While denouncing the illegal use of network boosters, Umar stated that the commission intends to prosecute Nigerians who use network boosters in their homes and offices at the expense of others.

“Yes, we are making progress,” he claims. The only problem we have now is that if they abduct you, I mean the bandits, they will use your phone number to contact you. They will never use their phones; instead, they will call the kidnapped person’s phone number and promptly turn it off. They have the ability to keep you at a separate location and create you somewhere else. There is no method to track a phone that is turned off. It’s a major undertaking. “Some people objected that if they use a person number to make calls, why can’t the Federal Government block the terrorists/bandits phone numbers?” “Even in the National Assembly, someone brought this up, to ban all kidnappers lines, some people objected that if they use a person number to make calls, why can’t the Federal Government block the terrorists/bandits phone numbers?” Then someone spoke up and said that there will be more killings because kidnappers are chasing the victims’ money, and that there is no way to stop it. However, progress has been made because they are no longer denied SIM cards,” he remarked.

Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director of Public Affairs, stated earlier in his welcome remarks that the capacity training is based on the Commission’s understanding of the essential media practitioners in its day-to-day activities. “Let me be quick to mention that the Commission recognizes the importance of NITRA as a strategic ally, which is why we have provided capacity building and trainings for members of NITRA on several occasions with the goal of providing the platform for equipping you as our stakeholders and partners from the media with the knowledge and skill required to do your jobs effectively, efficiently, and professionally,” the statement said.

In addition, Mr. Atu Sunday, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, who spoke extensively on the issues surrounding the International Termination Rate (ITR) for Voice services, explained that the Commission’s ITR policy is ultimately designed to cater for the interests of Nigeria and all telecoms stakeholders. Mr. Sunday explained that the commission used the best pricing algorithm to reach at the $0.0045 ITR rate floor price, which is why the rate is not too high or cheap. “So, if the rate is too high between portfolio Nigerians who are only interested in developing their pockets by being able to call, the rate should be fair so that it does not harm our balance of payments.” It will also have no negative impact on the operators’ profitability,” he added.

Mr. Usman Aliyug, the Head of Spectrum Administration at the NCC, gave a presentation about the Commission’s progress on 5G rollout in Nigeria. Mr. Blessing Olaifa, the President of NITRA, was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Elebeke NCC for the capacity training.