BY BANYO TEMITAYO
THE Nigeria Communications Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until a fresh audit exercise is concluded.
It added that, as the Minister had earlier directed in January, 2020, “all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators.”
The NCC said, in line with the Federal Government’s desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had directed the NCC to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
These were disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, signed by the Director, Public Affairs in the Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde.
He said, “The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Nigerian Communications Commission.
“However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.”
“MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licence,” the Commission said.
