Reps Move To Probe Planned 2.6GHz Spectrum Auctioning

The House of Representatives on Thursday, mandated its Committee on Telecommunications to investigate the proposed auctioning of 2.6GHz spectrum by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
The investigation is also geared towards averting the large job losses that might occur in the telecommunication sector if the 2.6GHz spectrum is auctioned.
This step followed a motion brought under “matter of urgent public importance’’ by Rep. Diri Douye (PDP-Bayelsa).
Moving the motion, Douye expressed concern that the fundamental rights of the current licences were not taken into account when the bid of MTN was being considered.
Douye said that while the auctioning may be necessary to meet up with the digital compliance, there was the need to build confidence in all the parties that were current stakeholders.
The lawmaker said that NCC, the regulator of the telecommunication sector, may not have considered the long term effect of job losses.
“If the regulator fails to carry the entire process through without taking cognisance of current spectrum operators and their interest, it will result in the loss of billions of Naira to the investors.
“It will also jeopardise the interest of banks and result in the loss of thousands of jobs,’’ he pointed out.
Douye predicated his argument on the fact that employment generation and protection of business was a key component of the legislative agenda of the 8th National Assembly.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote, and the matter was referred to the relevant committee with a mandate to investigate and resolve all pending issues connected with the proposed auction.