On Thursday, the House of Representatives, began an amendment to the Communications Commission Act to regulate unsolicited telecommunications services.
A bill was passed to seek safer online communications and most importantly to stop unsolicited pornographic content by telecommunication providers.
The bill, which was jointly sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Ethnics/Privileges, Mr Nicholas Ossai and Mr Peter Akpatason, also seeks the ban on sale of pre-registered sim cards in the country.
It reads, “A bill for an act of amendment on the Nigerian Communications act, cap, N97, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to provide for the regulation of unsolicited telephone communications from all communication industries in Nigeria and to make providing for the promotion of online safety providers and mobile phone operators to provide a service that excludes adult content; a Bill for an Act to prohibit the sales of pre-registered, and fairly illegally registered sim cards; and for other Matters related Therto.”
Akpatason, a member of the All Progressives Congress, led the debate and argued about the constant invasion of privacy by these telecommunication companies who charge and send unsolicited messages to their customers.
He said that subscribers have a right to their sanity and wish to stop all manner of disturbances from them.
According to the senator, all unsubsribed messages is equivalent to a breach of ones’ privacy.
He also condemned the sale of unregistered sim cards which flood the market, expressing worry on the result of such venture, its implications, and negative effects on the country.
The second bill, which passed the second reading unopposed, was presided by the speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.