Atcon Wants Substantive EVC for NCC

Two months after the tenure expiration of Engineer Ernest Ndukwe, former executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission, a substantive EVC has not been appointed; this, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) said, is a bad omen for the industry, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered.
The association is worried that the feats recorded by the industry in its 10 years of existence might be eroded, if a substantive EVC is not appointed to steer the affairs of the commission.
“It is bad omen for our industry to see the folks in charge replacing an acting EVC with another acting EVC. Our reading of the situation is that there are some people somewhere who do not know the implication of these indecisions on the wellbeing of our industry and on our investments.”
Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, Atcon president said the government should appoint a substantive EVC for the commission as it has been known before now that the former EVC’s tenure was to expire this year.
“It is inconceivable that Engr. Ernest Ndukwe who we all knew had a terminal date was not succeeded immediately by a substantive EVC.”
The Atcon president noted that before Ndukwe’s exit from the commission, someone ought to have undergone tutelage under him to be able to fit into the big shoe Ndukwe was to leave behind.
He urged the government to take urgent steps to appoint a substantive EVC as the absence does not mean well for the industry.
“Of course we are waiting for them to take a decision and, if need be, we shall let them know that we would not fold our hands and allow them to destroy what Nigerians toiled to build. We are waiting.”
Reacting to speculations that Atcon is resisting Sim registration, the association confirmed that Sim registration is ongoing and emphasized that it is not in anyway opposed to the initiative as it was masterminded by the association.
 “We say without reservation that our association will continue to run in a professional manner and respect all laws of government and directions of the Nigeria Communication Commission.”
The association advocates a 24 month implementation period and called on NCC to enlighten Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots on Sim registration while telcos have the responsibility of enlightening their subscribers.