On the twilight of its exit from power, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is pursuing a review of the Act establishing the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
The NITDA bill is being proposed in spite of the array of legal instruments and regulatory agencies that have enhanced the growth of the Nigerian communication sector in the last two decades.
Unsatisfied with the functions and achievements recorded in the sector since its expansion and liberalisation in 2001, one of the manifestations of its insatiability is the proposal to further create a behemoth that will regulate so many aspects of people’s lives and cover many other sectors.
While the idea of reviewing the Act establishing NITDA could foster employment generation, reforms and other positives, obviously, it is a needless duplication of roles that are already enshrined in the establishment acts of other agencies.
For instance, Section 5 of the bill titled “Functions of the Agency,” gives NITDA power to regulate consumer protection, roles which the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, already perform.
Also, Section 5 (22) of the bill seeks to “protect the interest and rights of consumers against unfair practices in collaboration with the consumer protection regulator.”
In addition, sub-section 23 of Section 5 goes ahead to give NITDA the power to “represent Nigeria at international proceedings and meetings of international organisations relating to information technology and digital economy,” whereas this role should be open to all relevant agencies in the Communication and Digital Economy sector.
Stakeholders are also unanimous that the bill will create confusion as it gives NITDA powers to perform the functions of other regulators in the Communication/Digital Economy sector and security agencies inclusive.
It is also of note that the fact that there’s a new high levy on all digital services will lead to an increase in prices of ICT and other related services.
What is surprising to most Nigerians is why an administration that is planning a handover should allow a bill that will lead to confusion and trigger corruption, on the eve of its exit, especially after leaving a legacy in the sector where ICT and telecom contributes 18.44 percent to GDP in the second of 2022.
Critics argue that the move is partly an ego trip for the minister of communication and digital economy, Prof. Isah Pantami, who is pursuing an agenda to immortalise himself in the consciousness of followers of the industry.
Pantami is also not new to controversy. His controversial PhD award, appointment of heads of parsatatals under his purview and alleged links with Boko Haram speak to his mein.
From his appointment of heads of agencies and parsatatals, his religious biases are glaring. As an anonymous text read, below are digital assets and credentials under Pantami’s watch: “Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Agencies.
Minister = Isa Pantami (Muslim North); Galaxy Backbone Limited = Prof. Muhammad Abubakar. (Muslim North); National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) = Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz. (Muslim North); and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) = DG/CEO Kashifu Inuwa (Muslim North).”
Others are “Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) = EVC/CEO Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta. (Muslim North); Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited = CEO Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal Funtua. (Muslim North) and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) = Hon. Adepoju Adeyemi Sunday. Post Master General. (South West).”
Some of the issues that have created suspicion and distrust by majority of Nigerians are factored activities of men like Pantami. It is, therefore, imperative that the National Assembly throws out the bill as it will stifle growth, and create an all powerful regulator.
