Communications Minister, Pantami, directs NCC to block 9.2m improperly registered SIM cards

Telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been ordered to block about 9.2 million unregistered mobile telephone SIM cards as the Nigerian government haunts down illegal SIM cards used by criminals such as kidnappers to perpetrate crimes. 

On his recent assumption of office, Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, requested all agencies and departments under his purview, including the NCC to submit reports on their baseline short-term performance targets.

The report by the NCC and signed by its executive vice chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, contained precise figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country.

The Commission in its report disclosed that an estimated 9.2 million SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration. The investigation which was carried out at the behest of the minister exposed, for the first time in the telecoms history of Nigeria, in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters.

Reacting to the report, Pantami expressed concern over the security implication of this discovery and further directed that the telecoms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered phone numbers are duly re-registered.

To ensure maximum compliance, Pantami has directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper re-registration procedures.

“The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security,” said Pantami as quoted in a statement released in Abuja today by his spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman

Minister of Communication Technology Issues Directives to Telecom Regulators.

By Tunji Oyeyemi
September 13, 2019

ABUJA (Min of Communication Report) – In line with the directives of the Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, to all Agencies and Parastatals under his purview, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has submitted its baseline short-term performance targets report.

 

The report signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, contained precise figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country.

 

The investigation which was carried out at the behest of the Minister, exposed the Telecomms history of Nigeria in precise detail, the magnitude of defaulters. It also disclosed that an estimated nine million two hundred thousand (9.2M) SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedure of SIM registration.

 

The Minister expressed concern over the security implication of this discovery and further directed that the Telecomms regulator, should with immediate effect, ensure that all improperly registered numbers are duly reregistered.

 

To ensure maximum compliance, he also directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper re-registration procedure.

 

 

Signed

Uwa Suleiman

LordviccoDaGuru:




Its a welcome development, for my side no shaking.

brushesz:
Negligence on NCC's side.
Must they wait until the minister direct them on the needful?

aaronson:
What beats me is eventhough all SIMs are properly registered, How come we can't use it to track down kidnappers, fraudsters and other criminals. Well regardless of how many Sim is registered, the Nigeria system is dysfunctional, broken and insufficient to the optimal utilization of Sim identification when the need calls for it.

I swear. I nor go dey speak all that plenty English if to say no be this ad I wan post. DISTRESS SALES DEAL on a Lexus down my signature.