NCC seals off Globacom’s Abuja office

Consequent upon the recent directions given to second national operator, Globacom, the telecom regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has sealed off its office outlet in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Head, Media and Public Relations at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka who disclosed this said that a team from the Monitoring and Compliance Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission, led by an Assistant Director, Mr. Ephraim Nwokonneya, on Monday, July 18, 2011, sealed off the premises of Globacom Ltd at Ademola Adetokubo Street by Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja.

According to him, the seal off is sequel to none compliance with the recent sanctions by the Commission, on two directions.

He explained that one of the notices for the sanction was over non compliance with direction on ban of sales of fully activated new SIM cards to the distribution channels, and Non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers.

Whereas the non-compliance to new SIM cards activation attracted N5.5m, non-compliance for installation of masts and towers attracted N1m.

He further explained that in exercising its powers to enforce compliance, the Commission obtained warrant from the Federal High Court Abuja, to seal off the premises of the company at Ademola Adetokubo Street by Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja.

ITRealms Online recalls that NCC had on penultimate Wednesday fine Glo N6.5m, on two fronts following non-compliance to earlier two notices.

As said by Mr. Muoka, on the case of activated Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards, that is on February 14, 2011, the Compliance Monitoring reports received from Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and other locations indicated that Globacom SIM cards were fully active.

“After several correspondences conveying the findings to Globacom and a directive to fully comply by February 17, the company failed to comply,” he said.

Muoka also was quoted in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online that the Commission’s Compliance Monitoring further indicated that Globacom Ltd is in contravention of the Direction on the Ban on Sales of Fully Activated SIM cards in Anambra, Borno, Kano, Katsina and Plateau States as Globacom SIM Cards purchased in April 2011 in these states are fully activated as calls were made unrestricted from the new SIM Cards.

The Commission thereby issued Notice of Sanction on Globacom having failed to comply with the said Direction in accordance with the provisions of Section 55 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, and the Nigerian Communications (Enforcements Processes to name a few) Regulation 2005.

Therefore, according to him, Globacom is to pay penalty in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira Only) within seven( 7) days from the date of the Notice and that additional sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) shall be paid by Globacom Ltd every additional day as long as the contravention persists.

“That upon continuous failure to comply with the Direction, the Commission may deny Globacom Ltd other regulatory services and /or invoke its powers under section 45 (a,b & d) of NCA 2003,” NCC said.

While on the case of non-Compliance with the Guidelines on Technical Specifications for Installation of Masts and Towers/Failure to Provide Information Regarding Globacom Ltd’s Mast at Gboko, Benue State, Globacom is in contravention of Section 65 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Second Schedule of the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement Processes) Regulation 2005, Chapter1, 5 of the Relevant Guidelines on Masts and Towers.

For this failure, Globacom Ltd is liable to a fine of N1,000,000 ( One Million Naira Only) payable within 21 days of receipt of the Notice and in the event of failure to pay the stated fine, and consistent with regulatory practice, the Commission may among other things, enforce its statutory powers including but not limited to its powers pursuant to Section 45 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

NCC further warned all telecom services providers to adhere strictly to all its regulations and directions for the benefit of sanity in the industry.

NCC prides itself as an independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, thus responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

Remmy Nweke
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