The Association of
Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has explained why they recently
dragged the National Assembly (NASS) to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking
interpretation over the alleged worrisome oversight functions on
telecommunications companies by various NASS committees, reports ITRealms.
Confirming this to ITRealms, ALTON chairman, Engr. Gbenga
Adebayo, said the resolution to seek this interpretation was taken at the
organisation’s General Meeting held on Friday, 20th October, 2017, including an order restraining NASS from
serving any further summons on telecommunication companies pending the
determination of the case, which industry observers described as largely
“embarrassing harassment.”
ITRealms also gathered that the
resolution include that a firm of solicitors with good track record in handling
high-profile constitutional law cases be instructed to institute an action in
court seeking the court’s interpretation of the provisions of the constitution
on the extent of the National Assembly (NASS)’s oversight functions on telecommunications
companies.
ALTON
chairman expressed dismay that its members have been inundated with incessant
summons from different committees of the NASS served on their Chief Executive
Officers (CEOs) to appear before several National Assembly (NASS) Committees.
This,
he said, have negatively impacted on the ability to focus on business
operations.
“The
NASS’ insistence on attendance of CEOs at such session is without consideration
of these CEOs reasonable schedule conflict or the fact that other senior
management staff may be better versed and suited due to the nature of their job
roles vis-a-vis the subject matter of investigation,” he lamented.
ALTON also cited an
instance, saying that the Ad-Hoc Committee set up by the House of
Representatives to investigate the Health Implications of Telecommunications
Towers in residential buildings, called for public hearings on Monday 10th and
Tuesday 11th April, 2017, at which the industry was supposed to be represented
by ALTON, but the Committee, insisted that each operator make its own
presentation.
“There were further
hearings on Tuesday, 25th April and 8th and 23rd May 2017. However, at those
Hearings the Committee insisted that it would only grant audience to the CEOs
of the Companies and no other representative, in spite of technical knowledge
and seniority of such representatives,” he decried.
In
addition, ITRealms reports that
ALTON observed that some of the investigative duties of the different
committees overlap and require similar information from the attendees.
“For
instance, members are summoned by both the standing Committee on Telecoms and
its Ad-hoc Committee on Operational activities of Telecoms Equipment and
Service Providers both investigating loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
The Committee on Telecoms is also investigating loss of jobs which the
Committee on Labour also summons members in respect of. The Committee on Telecoms
also served summons for investigation by its Adhoc Committee for Value Added
Services and Committee investigating locally manufactured skills,” he said.
ALTON further pointed
out that apart from the duplication of effort by the Committees, the manner of
invitation borders on harassment of our members as the invitations are
sometimes scheduled on the same day leading to conflict or scheduled back to
back for 3 to 4 days, which will necessitate member CEOs being away from their
businesses for such long periods.
ITRealms further gathered that some of
the requested information border on information within the purview of specific
government agencies, such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and
Ministry of Communications, which NASS could easily request the agencies to
provide, such information as evidence of Tax remittances to government since
inception of members operations, which could date as far back as sixteen (16)
years; or confidential information which members should not be obliged to
provide e.g. list of all employees and current remuneration package of these
employees.
Equally, ITRealms gathered that ALTON plea
before the Federal High Court include determination of (a) Extent
of the NASS’ oversight functions as it relates to private companies and
particularly, Telecommunications Companies being private companies; (b) Extent of the NASS’ oversight functions
with respect to private companies and particularly, Telecommunications
companies which are already subject to regulatory oversight by regulators; (c)
Specific nature of information which the NASS can lawfully request from private
companies including Telecommunications Companies, and whether it includes
companies’ confidential information and information within the purview of
government agencies.
Others are: (d) “Specific nature
of directives that can be made by NASS pursuant to the outcome of their
investigative activities; (e) Declaration
on the proprietary of the NASS to issue these summons and insist that our
members are represented by their CEOs and not senior management representatives
whose job function deal with the subject matter of investigation; and (f) An
order restraining the NASS from serving any further summons on
Telecommunication Companies pending the determination of the action.”
3 comments:
ALTON further pointed out that apart from the duplication of effort by the Committees, designer lawn sale online , suit lawn the manner of invitation borders on harassment of our members as the invitations are sometimes scheduled on the same day leading to conflict or scheduled back to back for 3 to 4 days, which will necessitate member CEOs being away from their businesses for such long periods.
Our professional Heathrow chauffeurs and fleet of luxury cars ensure that airport transfers are comfortable and enjoyable, leaving one less logistical worry, offering the high end Gatwick chauffeur service and Heathrow chauffeur service and pickups for London Heathrow.
original
Post a Comment