The Federal Government has listed fresh conditions for
telecommunication service subscribers to replace lost, stolen, misplaced or
damaged SIM cards.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission,
subscribers must present their National Identification Numbers for their SIM
cards to be replaced.
The National Identity Management Commission will also verify
the National Identification Numbers presented by subscribers before Mobile
Network Operators replace such SIM cards.
Telcos are also expected to adhere to other SIM replacement
guidelines, according to a statement jointly signed on Friday by the Director,
Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde; and Head, Corporate Communication, NIMC,
Kayode Adegoke.
The statement said the decision was taken by the Minister of
Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami after he considered the report
by a technical committee “charged with the operationalisation of the process to
ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with NIN”.
The committee comprised the NCC, NIMC, the Association of
Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, and Mobile Network Operators.
The statement partly read, “Based on recommendations of the
Technical Committee, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital
Economy 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 the Federal 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.”
Recall that the Federal Government
through the NCC ordered telecommunications companies to deactivate telephone
lines of subscribers who failed to link their phones to their National Identity
Number.
Large crowd thronging the NIMC web portal for the process of
obtaining their National Identity Number led to the crash of the portal last
week.
Large crowds also resurfaced at NIMC centres nationwide this
week after the Christmas break.
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