The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has opened up on why it will not allow subscribers to carry out the linkage of National Identification Number (NIN) to SIM cards via the Internet.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NCC to have said the NIN-SIM linkage cannot be done without visiting the physical offices of telecom operators as a result of discrepancies on NINs.
NCC’s Director of Public Affairs Department, Mr. Reuben Muoka made this known on Monday when he appeared live on the Morning Break programme on Channels Television.
Muoka, however, noted that it might be possible for subscribers to link their NINs to their SIM cards via the Internet in the future after issues in the process are cleared up.
“We cannot do that right now because of discrepancies on NIN or other identity issues. Of course, this will be possible in the future but at this nascent moment of the process, it is needful that all these issues are cleared up. Subsequently, it can be done digitally,” he said.
Muoka also opened up on why the linkage of NIN to SIM cards is not effective in fighting kidnapping in the country yet, disclosing that linkage is yet to be finalised.
He stressed that if the identity of a victim is not properly registered, it would be difficult to track.
Noting that NCC is not a security agency but a regulatory agency for telecoms, Muoka, however, confirmed that there have been successful outcomes in utilising the NIN-SIM linkage to fight kidnapping and other crimes.
“NCC is not a security agency but a regulatory agency for telecoms in Nigeria. However, the NIN-SIM linkage when finalised will aid in the investigative process.
“The police attend to the issue of information provision for tracking victims. But if the identity of the victim is not properly registered, then tracking will be difficult.
“Please note that there have been successful outcomes in utilising the NIN-SIM linkage despite the fact that the process is still ongoing,” he said.
On the recent downtime across network operators and efforts by the NCC to improve quality of service, Muoka said: “There is no operator that likes disruptions because they are not making money.
“Sometimes, things like major fibre cuts during construction or other such issues are beyond what the service providers can handle.
“The EVC Dr. Maida has constantly emphasised that quality of experience and the consumer is one of his strategic focal points. So the NCC is working closely with service providers to uphold this strategy.
“Compliance to obligations and other issues that will enhance QoS is of utmost importance to the NCC and our eyes are open and focused on the service providers to improve QoS”.