The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to synergy with telecommunication operators in the bid to connect over 207 communities to telecom services.
To achieve this, the House also urged Federal Government to extend the national electricity grid to every part of the country, so as to reduce the cost of the telecom operators in providing services in rural communities.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Joseph Edionwele (PDP-Edo), which was unanimously supported by members without dissenting voice.
Edionwele who led the debate, explained that millions of Nigerians living in the affected communities across the country were deprived of access to telecommunication services, 15 years after the services were liberalised.
He said a recent investigation revealed that over 3.6 million Nigerians spread across the country do not have access to telecommunication services.
The lawmaker said owing to rising cases of insurgency and insecurity across the country, it is essential for every part of the county to be provided with telecommunication services, so as to boost security nationwide.
He argued that with telecommunication services, rural communities will be able to get quick response in the event of attacks by insurgents and in addressing other security challenges.
“We need to protect our rural communities, especially in an era of insurgency and insecurity. A situation where over 200 rural communities across the country do not have access to telecommunication services is not good for our security,” Edionwele said.
While ruling, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, referred the motion to the joint Committee on Telecommunications and Power to ensure adherence and report back within eight weeks for further legislative action.
