Imported User:
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has criticised the House of Representatives for the passage of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Corporation (NIGCOMSAT) bill without the inputs of broad band stakeholders.
According to the statement signed by its president, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, the union opined, “The passage of the NIGCOMSAT Bill by the House of Representatives is capable of inducing a monumental crisis which can be avoided if proper public hearing is held to subject certain sections of the bill to a rigorous debate in line with the true tradition of legislative procedure in every democratic jurisdiction.”
The association also faulted the lower chamber on the telecommunication Electro-magnetic Frequency Emission Bill, which has been referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
NATCOMS nevertheless called on the House of Representatives to ensure that a popular, open and participatory public hearing is held in respect of the Electro-magnetic Emissions Bill so that the House could have the benefit of the inputs of critical stakeholders in the further consideration of the bill.
The Union however said that the Senate can still make amends by subjecting the bill to a rigorous debate which is in line with the true tradition of legislative procedure.
“In respect of the NIGCOMSAT Bill, given the failure of the House of Representatives to subject it to a public hearing, we call on the Senate to subject the bill to a popular and participatory public hearing to allow for the inputs of critical stakeholders in the further consideration of the bill.”
