The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, has disclosed that the Communications sector prioritizes security over economic benefits.
He disposed this in Abuja during the official launch of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 2021-2025, Compendium book of Professor Umar Danbatta Speeches and Presentations titled “Catalyzing Nigeria Socio-Economic Transformation through Broadband Infrastructure” and NCC’s Podcast
Professor Isa Pantami explained that Ministry and the Commission do not joke with security and that because of what they are aiding the security institutions with, they compromise the economic benefits that would have come to the sector.
“We have even been compromising the economic progress of our sector because of our aim in supporting security institutions. At any point in time in the telecommunication sector our position is security takes precedence over economic benefits. Security is our priority followed by economic benefits. But if two things can be pursued; this one is our priority.
He however affirmed that a lot of efforts have been geared towards improving security in the country
On the issue of assessing a subscriber’s bio data; He noted that only security institutions are constitutionally empowered to do so
“When something happens and phone number is involved our function is to transmit that number to security institution like the Police and Department of State Security,DSS; you go to them that your brother has been kidnapped and the number they used in contacting us.The Police or DSS knows the procedure and they will communicate to the NCC or telecom providers for bio data.This information is not given to individual because it will be abused .It is because of this that only security institutions have the power to ask for that information”.
The Minister said though phone conversation is constitutionally confidential the 2015 Cybercrime Act and a subsidiary legislation of the NCC gives the government the power of interception.
“Constitutional your phone conversation should be confidential look at the Constitution of Nigeria Section 37 and 39 and see clearly that it is only the cybercrime Act 2015 and a subsidiary legislation of the Commission that allows government; that when a crime is committed, that is what is called lawful intercept.” He said
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Umar Danbatta in his speech noted that the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) is inline with all existing developmental documents.
“We have taken cognizance of the several notable advancements in the Nigerian telecommunications industry within the last five (5) years, as well as the current global realities such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Strategic Plan (2020-2023), the Commission’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 for a digital Nigeria, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government. Thus, the new plan has been guided by and aligned to the NNBP (2020-2025), the NDEPS (2020-2030), the SMP (2020-2024), the ITU Strategic Plan and the ERGP of the Federal Government.
Professor Danbatta further stated that the new SVP 2021-2025 has five items namely:
“Organizational Renewal for Operational Efficiency and Regulatory Excellence;Facilitating the Provision of Infrastructure for a Digital Economy which fosters National Development; Promoting Fair Competition, Inclusive Growth, Increased investment and Innovative Services; Improve Quality of Service (QoS) for Enhanced Consumer Quality of Experience (QoE); and
Facilitating Strategic Collaboration and Partnership.” He highlighted
Professor Danbatta added that to ensure strong commitment to its implementation, the new plan also has inbuilt initiatives, key performance Indicators developed from inception and activities tied to an implementation responsibility matrix.
“It also incorporates timelines and a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism. It is equally outcome-based and e-commendation-driven with follow-up actions to guide the Commission in operationalising the plan and assessing to performance over time”
“The new SVP, no doubt, embodies several innovative elements deliberately designed to re-invent and transform the telecom ecosystem within the context of regulation. This takes me to the next innovative project, the Compendium of EVC’s Speeches and Presentations,” He said.
House Committee Chairman on Communications, Honourable Hakeen Adeyemi while congratulating the EVC, noted that the communications sector has become the major contributor to the nation’s GPD
Adeyemi said NCC must continue to carry out SIM audit and establish more emergency communication centres across the country to boost security ,quality of service, and reduce cost of data.
He also pledged the support of the National Assembly in enabling the Commission preform it’s regulatory functions.
The book reviewer, Professor Chidi Akujor, noted that the book titled “Catalysing Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Transformation through Broadband Infrastructure” had 531 pages, including 27 preliminary pages, 8 sections with each section that corresponds with the eight point agenda of the Commission.
Akujor said the book will serve as a reference point for telecommunications sector, academia private and public sector and every sector of the economy. View pictures below:
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