No licence has been issued for 5G in Nigeria – Pantami
By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The Nigerian Government has categorically said that no license has been issued for the deployment of the Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in the country.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, made the clarification on Saturday in response to the growing public concern about the health implications of the deployment of 5G in Nigeria.
The minister’s statement came amid a trending video on the social media ion which Senator Dino Melaye claims that the 5G network is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the globe, including Nigeria.
Melaye, the controversial politician from Kogi state, in the video, also alleges that indeed, 5G has been deployed in the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja and Ikeja in Lagos state.
He urged the Nigerian government to immediately demobilize the 5G technology, saying that coronavirus is being caused the human cells coming in contact with 5G.
But Patami in a statement issued in Abuja, argued that based on available records at his office and the earlier report received from the regulator, “the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.”
He further said:
“A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;
“As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and
“The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.
“Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.
“I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.”