NCC decries theft of telecom facilities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decried the increased outright theft of telecommunication equipment in the country. Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta, stated this in Gombe at a one-day sensitization workshop organised by the commission for law enforcement agencies in the North East. Represented by the Head of Compliance, Monitoring […]

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decried the increased outright theft of telecommunication equipment in the country.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta, stated this in Gombe at a one-day sensitization workshop organised by the commission for law enforcement agencies in the North East.

Represented by the Head of Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Efosa Idehen, he lamented the rising cases of vandalization of telecom installations, facilities and infrastructure.

Prof. Dambatta noted that the rise of outright theft of telecoms equipment across the country has surpassed that of cybercrime which has been a source of concern to NCC.

He said the commission has also seen proliferation in the sale and usage of pre-registered Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) cards.

The NCC boss disclosed that NCC has rolled out various campaign strategies to educate the general public on implications and consequences of undermining the integrity of telecoms operation.

Dambatta further said the commission has instituted series of social capital programmes to encourage the country’s socio-economic transformation.

 “NCC is fully committed to the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, to deploy more broadband fibre networks beyond major cities and we have issued licenses to two infrastructure companies while the remaining five companies will be licensed shortly.

“This is expected to further boost business as well as improve life and catalyze economic growth at the remotest areas,” Prof. Dambatta said.

In his keynote address, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, thanked the NCC for providing a forum for law enforcement agencies to deepen their understanding of issues with a view to providing solutions to challenges in the telecoms industry.

The IGP who was represented by Gombe state Commissioner of Police, Mr Austin Iwar, also decried the increase use of pre-registered SIM cards to commit criminal activities, and therefore sought for collaboration with the NCC to stop the menace.