The minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has dismissed the complaint that the Senate summoned him on the role of communication devices in national security.
The minister, in a statement made available to the media, said the claim was unfounded, noting that there were no Sims incorrectly registered on the networks after 9.2 million SIMs were blocked in September 2019 according to the report presented. by the regulator (Nigerian Communications Commission) on September 26, 2019,
However, it promised to sanction any individual or institution found to be deficient in the event of evidence to the contrary.
He pointed out that the Ministry had supported the security agencies in their legal duty to protect lives and property and that is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no subscriber identification module be allowed to remain. (SIM) registered incorrectly.
Pantami also expressed his willingness to honor the official invitation of the senators.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has been drawn to some newspaper articles claiming that the Senate convened him on the role of communication devices in security.
“Dr. Pantami awaits the official invitation and wishes to sincerely thank the distinguished senators for their concern and support in enhancing national security.
“The Minister has supported security agencies in their legal duty to protect lives and property and that is why his first action after his appointment was to issue a directive that no incorrectly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) remain in our networks.
“According to the report presented by the regulator (Nigerian Communications Commission) on September 26, 2019, there are currently no SIMs incorrectly registered on our networks. In case of proof to the contrary, the Minister will sanction any person or institution that is missing.
Furthermore, Dr. Pantami wrote to all security agencies on October 14, 2019 asking them to cooperate with the Ministry by contacting us whenever a crime has been aided and instigated through the use of telecommunications devices. No request from security agencies for assistance in identifying the owners of SIM cards used for crimes has gone untreated at their office.
“The Minister also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Nigerian Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Security Challenges on February 12, 2020.
It contained details about the policies developed by the Ministry to improve security.
“In a similar vein, the Minister ordered the NCC to ensure that they establish modalities to link the National Identification Number (NIN) to the SIMs, as well as to ensure that unregistered SIMs are not sold.
“It has also ordered the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to significantly increase the number of monthly NIN registrations.
“In addition, Dr. Pantami recently presented a National Policy Project on Digital Identity for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) that took place on November 11, 2020.
“The memorandum was approved and will support the provision of digital IDs for Nigerians, thus assisting in the implementation of the Policy to link NINs to SIMs.
The Minister wishes to assure distinguished Senators and Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is committed to using technology to support the growth of our economy and the security of our nation. “
“We look forward to working with the Senate and law enforcement agencies in this regard.”
