BY DARLEY OGBODO
The Federal Government drive to ensure all Subscriber registrations are linked with National Identification Numbers (NINs) is moving forward and all stakeholders in the industry are working together to ensure the process is carried out as seamlessly as possible.
The government would like to seize this opportunity to sincerely appreciate Nigerians for the understanding and commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of this exercise.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in a joint statement, said the Ministerial Task Force under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy set up a technical committee made up of representatives of: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
The committee, according to the statement is charged with the operationalization of the process to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM registration records with NIN.
Based on recommendations of the committee, the Minister has approved a SIM replacement policy for subscribers whose SIMs have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged subject to the following conditions: That the subscriber present a NIN, that an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC and that the relevant guidelines and regulations of NCC concerning SIM Replacement are fully adhered to.
This policy is part of government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise.
It is aimed at enabling telecommunications service users who need to replace their damaged, stolen or misplaced SIMs to re-establish access to telecom services.