NCC moves to protect telecom infrastructure, signs MOU with NSCDC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the protection of critical national infrastructures.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Dambatta signed on behalf of NCC while the Commandant of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, signed on behalf of the Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking on the MoU, Prof Danbatta said the partnership became necessary in view of the huge investment made in the telecommunication infrastructure and to guarantee quality and efficient telecom services to Nigerians.
The NCC EVC said the collaboration is in furtherance of NCC’s effort to assist the present administration realize its economic diversification plan.
With the implementation of the MoU, he said NCC emergency centres would also be secured and the safety of lives and property of Nigerians would be guaranteed and more investment would be made from prospecting investors in the sector.
He said ‘‘Through this strategic partnership, which culminated into signing of the MoU with the CG of the NSCDC, we have succeeded in the practical terms, translating the intent of the agenda. Through the signing of the MoU, we have agreed that protection to the telecom infrastructure is so crucial, that is protecting them from vandalism and wilful damage as well as ensuring that our emergency communications are protected.
‘‘These centres have been put in place to bring relief to Nigerians in distress. They are provided to offer emergency services between the people in distress and the emergency agencies.
‘‘NCC is trying to leverage the reach of NSCDC to protect critical national infrastructure which the telecom infrastructure is one of them. The reason for this is that telecom sector is connected to all sectors of the economy and is contributing 8-10% (N1.6 trillion) to the economy every quarter.”
Responding, the CommandantGeneral of NSCDC, Abdullahi Muhammadu described the collaboration as a welcome development, saying that the Corps was established for the purpose of protecting critical national infrastructure and to serve as back-up security to the police and army.
In a related development, the EVC expressed concern on the use of pre-registered SIM cards by some people and said the cards pose serious challenges, not only to NCC but to the entire security of the nation.
He warned those engaging in the act to desist or face the law, saying that the NCC can no longer allow unscrupulous elements to use them to undermine the nation’s security.