The Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has called on the three arms of Government to collaborate in tackling the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure and improve the regulation of the communications sector to support socio-economic development.
The AGF made this call when he delivered his keynote address at the maiden edition of the Annual Workshop for Attorneys General on Emerging Issues in the Communications Sector in Lagos, Nigeria.
The workshop with the theme “Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria” was organized by the Nigeria Communications Commission NCC.
According to him, the loss of communications infrastructure, particularly in regions that are prone to conflict, has grown to be a national issue that calls for an immediate and well-coordinated response.
“It has been noted that Nigeria’s communications sector remains one of the dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors.
However, this transformation is being hindered by some critical recurring challenges including, multiple taxation and levies imposed by federal, state and local authorities; wanton destruction of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in conflict-prone areas; regulatory overlaps that confuse operators and complicate compliance; slow broadband infrastructure roll-out which is due in part to right-of-way challenges and inconsistent state policies, among others,” he said.
“It is therefore critical that the three arms of Government, as stakeholders, cooperate and collaborate to address these issues and ensure improved regulation of the communications sector for enhanced socio-economic development.
The legislature must review and strengthen laws that protect infrastructure and support the communications sector, while the executive reinforces measures aimed at implementing these laws.
The judiciary is also a key stakeholder in ensuring offenders and saboteurs are made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The AGF further highlighted the role Attorneys General, as Chief Law Officers of their respective states, can play in addressing them through synergy and by advising their governments on appropriate policies affecting the digital economy.
“Attorneys-General as Chief Law Officers under the constitution are uniquely placed to drive synergy. We must be able to advise our respective governments on policies that affect the digital economy, ensure that our laws and enforcement actions are constitutionally sound and support dispute resolution mechanisms that prevent prolonged litigation.”
Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Aminu Maida emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges facing the communications sector.
According to him, “The theme of this workshop, Building and Driving Synergy in Regulating Communications for the Digital Transformation of Nigeria, reflects the Commission’s belief that collaboration is not optional, but essential. No sector, especially one as dynamic and impactful as communications, can be effectively regulated in isolation.”
“At the NCC, we are committed to working with you to align regulatory actions with broader national goals. We believe the Attorneys-General have a strategic role to play not just in interpreting the law, but in shaping an enabling legal environment where technology and governance work in tandem,” he added.