The Interview Editors
The Nigerian Commumications Commission has suspended the sale of new SIM cards by network operators.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC’s director of public affairs, said in a statement on Wednesday that, “in line with the Federal Government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.
“The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.”
Accordingly, he said, “MNOs are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction.”
Adinde said exemption might be granted in writing, where it is absolutely necessary, by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.
He said MNOs should note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licence.
As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens, he said, are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators.
