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SIM Card Registration: Operators Appeal For Extension Of Deadline
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has appealed to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the deadline of the ongoing SIM card registration exercise which officially ended yesterday.
The Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, made the plea in a letter to the NCC, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
Adebayo said that the operators, however, acknowledged the fact that the SIM card registration exercise had been ongoing for sometime.
He said that subscribers had embraced the exercise more in the last few weeks because of the June 30 deadline.
According to him, there is the need to extend the deadline in the light of the security situation in the country.
Adebayo also talked about the general logistic problems confronting subscribers, registration agents and ALTON members in meeting the June 30, 2013 deadline.
“We appreciate the effort of the commission on this process and the attendant public awareness campaign over the past few weeks.
“We believe that the exercise will be more successful if an extension of time is considered,’’ he said.
The ALTON chairman requested for a three-month extension of the SIM card registration exercise for its overall success.
Our correspondent recalls that the SIM card registration exercise was flagged-off in Lagos on March 28, 2011 and was scheduled to end on Sept. 28, 2011, after a period of six months.
The NCC had since then been engaged in the harmonisation and collation of the results of the exercise.
In May 2013, the NCC announced June 30 as the deadline for the exercise and urged all subscribers, who wereyet to register their SIM cards to do so before the deadline.
The Public Affairs Director of NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, said that the commission would ban all unregistered SIM cards from the networks of the telecoms service providers.
Meanwhile, Scores of Abuja subscribers last Saturday trooped into MTN, Globacom and Etisalat offices, to register their Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards ahead of the June 30 deadline.
Our correspondent recalls that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently announced that subscribers who failed to meet the SIM cards registration deadline would be disconnected.
It listed such cards to include those used on telephone, data-enabled devices such as Fastlink Internet, iPads, laptops, Point of Sale terminals, Automatic Teller Machines and car-tracking devices.
Our correspondent who visited the MTN headquarters in Abuja, reports that it was a beehive of activities as subscribers were seen eagerly waiting to be registered.
An official who pleaded anonymity said that the idea was not about being disconnected, but compliance to the NCC regulation law.
He said the turnout showed that Nigerians valued the benefit of communication, adding that compliance was encouraging.
“ The issue is not about being disconnected from service providers, it has to do with NCC regulation of registering all lines, and the penalty is that after the deadline, calls from unregistered SIMs will not go.
“Our offices in all parts of the country will be opened till yesterday, to enable all those willing to get registered have the opportunity to do so.
“In Abuja, we are having a carnival-like event and road shows to bring registration closer to everyone.”
Also, at the Globacom Office in Wuse, a registration officer, Yinka Adu, told newsmen that registration in recent weeks had increased compared to the past.
She said this also showed the attitude of Nigerians not taking things seriously until the last minute.
“We have had to register more SIMs this week compared to the past few months; you see, people rush here out of their supposed busy schedules, because they do not want their lines disconnected,” Adu said.
At the Etisalat office in Wuse, Abuja, a registration officer, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that most of its subscribers had been registered,
“I can confidently say that most of our customers are registered; the people you are seeing here are those who came to update their information.
“At least, 95 per cent of our subscribers have so far been registered.”
One of the subscribers on the queue, Adamu Waziri, said his service provider kept sending him messages to register his SIM, at an interval of five minutes.
“I received the message that my SIM was not registered a couple of weeks ago but I ignored it.
“ I later took the message seriously and created time out of my busy schedule just to meet up with the deadline,” Waziri said.
Another subscriber, Ngozi Nwaora, said she had registered her SIM last year, but got messages that she had not registered.
“I registered in June last year, at one of the registration points in Garki Market; I am here today to fulfil all righteousness.
“I don’t want to lose this line, I am a business woman; most of my clients have this number, “ Nwaora said.
NCC officially launched SIM card registration on March 28, 2011, to facilitate the collation of data by the commission on phone usage in Nigeria.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi