The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission NCC Professor Umar Danbata, has urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the telecom industry.
Dantata made the call at an investigative hearing organized by the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee set up to investigate the failure of the commission to provide adequate mobile access to Nigerians.
This according to him, would promote widespread availability and usage of mobile telecommunication network in all nooks and crannies of the country.
Danbata, who disclosed that about 27 million Nigerians lack access to mobile telecommunication also hinted that there are two hundred and twenty million active subscribers that own two or more sim cards.
He said the sum of seven hundred billion Naira should be made available to the Commission to demonstrate further commitment in bridging the gaps of underserved and unserved network users in the country.
The House Speaker Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the NCC should ensure proactive and quality service delivery to Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee,Hon Bamidele Salaam in a remark highlited the importance of making telecommunication services available to Nigerians.
The lawmaker and other committee members also requested for adequate clarifications and documents on the procurement processes of the NCC over the years.
