The Nigerian Communications Commission has re-emphasised that fifth generation (5G) network is safe and has no nexus between its deployment and human health challenges.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta gave this assurance while defending the Commission’ s 2022 budget proposal before the joint Senate and House Committee on Communications.
Professor Danbatta, while answering questions relating to policy on 5G, said apart from the passage of the policy by government, robust engagement has been ongoing among stakeholders for modality on how to auction the spectrum, which will include provision of enabling environment for new entrants to achieve affordable 5G services.
Accordingly, the EVC, said available fact from key stakeholders and international partners does not lend credence to unsafe nature of 5G network and its spectrum, adding that the World Health Organization and other international agencies alluded to the fact that it is safe, as such, that there is no correlation between 5G spectrum expected to be deployed by the nation and health issues.
He promised that the commission will continue its engagement on 5G to allow member of the public to see that the new network is good for the nation’s economy and development.
On safety of telecommunication networks in the country,
Professor Danbatta informed the joint National Assembly Committee that Computer Incidence Response Team was inaugurated in line with the national security adviser office policy, to this end, all telecommunication networks in the country
are secured from cyber attack.
While making clarification on the level of capital budget performance as at September 2021, Professor Danbatta said “lengthy procurement process is part of the reason for low budget implementation”, he promised that more efforts will be put in place to ensure that what has been appropriated is used.
Lawmakers commended the Commission for being one of the key revenue generation agencies of government, much as the projected revenue generation of the Commission in 2021 has been surpassed, urging the leadership of the Commission to sustain the record.
Based on the figure released at the defence by Director, Financial Services, NCC, Mr. Yakubu Gontor, 632bn is projected to be an expected revenue generation in 2022.
Other issue that attracted attention of the lawmakers include School Support Programmes of the Commission, as they sought further information on the volume of interventions, amount spent and their spread, which were duly provided.