NCC TO DISCONNECT UNREGISTERED SIM CARDS IN SIX MONTHS

By NBF News

THE Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) said that it would disconnect all unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards from their networks within six months.

Dr. Eugene Juwah, the executive vice chairman of NCC, said this when he flagged-off the nationwide SIM Card registration on Monday in Abuja.

He said that there were currently 89 million active lines in the national telecommunication network.

'After six months from today, all these lines are expected to be registered.

'The registration will last for a period of six months and registration centres will be deployed all over the country.

'Subscribers will find a centre close to their abode to register their SIM cards. No Nigerian or visitor to Nigeria using mobile phones is exempted from this exercise.

'At the end of six months of this registration, all unregistered SIM cards will be disconnected,' Juwah said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the on-going first phase of SIM card registration by the telecommunication companies commenced last year in which seven million lines were registered.

The second phase of the registration by NCC had begun simultaneously with appointed SIM Cards Registration Agents' Centres nationwide irrespective of network.

Juwah explained that in order to give a wider coverage, all SIM cards could be registered irrespective of the network in one spot where the registration centres were located.

'As deployments of registration centres continue, we shall endeavour to provide information about their locations using the appropriate media of communications, including the print and the electronic media.

'Information will also be provided in local languages to ensure that nobody is left out of this exercise,' he said.

He said that the registration would achieve a central database for all mobile phone users in the country and serve as a tool to assist other institutions, especially security agencies.

Juwah urged subscribers to ensure the success of the exercise, saying there was need to mitigate the current security challenges perpetrated through the use of mobile phones.

In an interview with NAN, Mr. Dave Onu, a communication expert, noted that there should be a strong sensitisation, especially in the remote areas to motivate people to register.

'Three months intensive media marketing campaign is necessary to make the subscribers know what is happening,' he said.

Onu noted that the NCC should equally make the process of registration simple, especially for busy people who have tight schedules.

He, however, suggested other options of registration such as web-based registration.