The Nigeria government has assured it’s citizens that the 5G network technology is not harmful & cannot be associated with any existing disease.
Minister of communication & digital economy, Isa Patani gave the assurance on Thursday while presenting the ministry’s position at a one day investigative public hearing on the “present status of 5G network in Nigeria & it’s technological impact on citizens”.
Mr. Patami, while addressing Senators on the misunderstanding about 5G network, allayed the fears of Nigerians that the new technology is unfriendly to public health.
The probe was organised by the Senate joint committee on communications, science & technology, ICT & Cyber crimes and primary health & communicable diseases.
The Minister said the Federal Government did not just arrived here without proper and extensive consultations with critical stakeholders including all security agencies, stressing that government would never jeopardise the security and health of it’s citizens.
He said there was no scientific proof linking Covid-19 to the deployment of (5G) technology or indeed any other disease; stressing that the radiation in the current (4G) & other household electronic gadgets are more harmful compared to (5G).
National draft policy
Mr. Pantami also confirmed that the only thing left to do now was to complete the draft national policy required to drive the process of deploying the 5G network in Nigeria.
He said once the draft national policy is ready the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) being the regulator is expected to come up with its own guidelines for operators.
“We have completed a significant process, & now in the process of completing the final policy formulation and the remaining will be for NCC to come forward with its own regulatory instruments,” he stated.
Does not pose any security threat
Also corroborating the minister’s position, office of the National security adviser confirmed that the 5G network does not pose any security threat to Nigeria.
Director of communications in the NSA’s office, Mr. Bala Fakandu warned that the said 5G Network would require telecomms operators in Nigeria to upgrade their equipment to the new technology, which if not properly deployed, could serve as tools for eavesdropping, cyber attacks and even espionage by external forces.
He said the Office of the NSA shared its fears with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) during its initial trial of the technology in the country and expects that the concerns will be properly addressed in the draft of national policy when it is ready.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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