Lawmakers may facilitate bill on National Telecoms Infrastructure Policy

In what appears to be a speedy response to the call by the telecoms operators for a National Telecoms Infrastructure Policy that would protect telecoms infrastructure from the activities of vandals, particularly in remote communities where it is difficult to monitor such facilities, the National Assembly is considering facilitating a bill to that effect.

One of the telecoms operators recently drew the attention of government to the need to have such policy due to the persist destructing of telecoms infrastructure in the country.

While on a tour of the facilities of MTN Nigeria in Lagos, Acting Chairman, House Committee on Communications of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Mr. hinted that the lawmakers was ready to facilitate moves that would see such policy come to light.

According to Bawa the House would give assistance to the regulatory body of the industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) if such proposal for an Act that will safeguard telecoms infrastructures in Nigeria comes before the House saying that it is prepared work with relevant agencies and network operators to ensure that there comes to an end the era of poor quality of service (QoS).

While awaiting the passage of such Act, he said that the committee in conjunction with NCC has agreed to sanction anyone found vandalising telecoms infrastructure in any part of the country.

The lawmaker while disclosing that the House is not unaware of the numerous challenges plaguing the industry said that an Act is coming up, which would streamline the issue and allow a unified regulation and taxation system.

On the lingering issue between operators and the Ministry of Environment, regarding the health and safety of telecoms mast, which are in residential areas in the country, the lawmaker pledged that the House would wade into the case and ensure that the ministry allows operators to build more base stations adding that he is aware of the importance of base stations to quality services.

He explained that "We got that report and we have spoken with NCC and I believe that the NCC is trying to solve that problem and we are also working with the Ministry of Environment to find a lasting solution to that problem."