By Kester Omu
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that it has instituted processes that will lead to the review of a framework for spectrum licensing in the country telecommunication industry.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta disclosed this at the 23rd Inaugural Lecture at Bayero University, Kano.
He said: “We are Reviewing the Licensing Framework for Spectrum Administration to Accommodate the Needs of all Stakeholders”. The essence of the review, according to Danbatta is to accommodate the interests of various stakeholders in the industry.
Danbatta said the vision of the Commission and the importance of spectrum is critical, but admitted that spectrum is a limited national resource, which must be managed judiciously to ensure the needs of all stakeholders.
The NCC Chief Executive also seized the opportunity of that platform to inform members of the academic community, that telecoms contributed about N1.452 trillion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2017.
This is a feat, Danbatta happened in spite of the challenges affecting the telecommunications sector. Some of these challenges include the obstacles of securing appropriate permissions such as Right of Way (RoW) for the laying of fiber optic infrastructure. There is also the energy challenge in terms inadequate and constant supply of electrical power, vandalism of infrastructure; and multiple taxation.
He also spoke on the methodology adopted in the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) which is based on Honshin Kanri/Policy Deployment method, which ensures strategic goals of the NCC drive progress and action at every level of the Commission’s activities.
Prof. Danbatta was a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Technology at Bayero University Kano for 28 years. During this period he taught courses in telecommunications engineering and electronics, and held academic positions as Dean of the Faculty as well as Head of Department at different times.