Connect with us

News

FG Lists New Rules To Deactivate Dormant Lines

Published

on

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, may have updated its telecom identity risk management policy, TIRMP, allowing a window of one year for an inactive phone line to be reassigned to a new subscriber.

The TIRMP platform is NCC’s way of developing a cross-sector platform to collect and share data on churned (recycled) phone numbers as well as numbers that have been flagged as having been used for fraudulent activities, as reported by other sector regulators.

Advertisement

A reliable source at the commission told Vanguard that the platform would help prevent the misuse of numbers when they change hands. The information on this platform will be made available to relevant stakeholders across various sectors.

Vanguard gathered authoritatively that the commission is putting plans in place to launch the updated policy framework by the 4th quarter of this year.

READ ALSO: VIPs Lobby Presidency As FG Grounds 60 Private Jets

Advertisement

The source said the new initiative aligned with the commission’s strategic vision plan, which aims not only to meet the quality-of-service expectations of telecom consumers but also address their quality of experience, involving every touchpoint they encountered within the telecommunications ecosystem; from onboarding processes, such as SIM registration, to offboarding, which is when they choose to leave a network.

The new guidelines states that when a phone number has not carried out any revenue-generating event, outgoing or incoming calls or SMS, charged USSD sessions, data use, or any activity on the line that generates income for the operator, for over 180 days, the MSISDN is deemed inactive.

If this inactivity continues for another 180 days, that is a total of 360 days, the line becomes eligible for churning, and recycling.

Advertisement

The QoS Regulation and Business Rules 2024 provides that after 365 days without any Revenue Generating Event carried out on a line it can be churned by the operator,” the source said.

READ ALSO: Finally, NCC Announces Deadline For NIN-SIM Linkage

What that means is that the Mobile Network Operators who have leased these lines from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, are free to reassign them by putting them back into the market.

Advertisement

The source added: “Numbering resources, such as telephone numbers and short codes, are the backbone of modern telecommunications. They are governed globally by the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, under Recommendation E.164, which ensures efficiency, and equitable access to numbers across borders.’’

The NCC stated that numbering resources were inherently scarce because each number must conform to a fixed length and format, yielding only a finite set of valid combinations.

Information on the commissions website states: “In Nigeria, the NCC, mandated by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, manages and allocates these critical resources on behalf of the federal government.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:BREAKING: NCC Approves 50% Tariff Hike For Telecoms

‘’The NCC assigns number ranges to licensed operators and services (mobile, fixed, and special) in a manner that promotes fair competition, protects consumers, fosters innovation, and aligns with ITU standards and global best practices.

“The recycling of lines presents challenges, particularly when the previous owners of reassigned numbers still have those numbers linked to services they used before the numbers were recycled. It presents issues of security and integrity of phone number ownership.”

Advertisement

The new policy will reduce fraud risks and improve digital and financial services by enabling service providers to proactively detect and act, particularly to high-risk numbers, while updating their customer details where applicable.

“The NCC will host the platform and establish its regulatory and operational framework. We are currently working with the CBN, security agencies, and other key stakeholders, with a beta solution already being tested” an NCC source revealed to Vanguard.

 

Advertisement

News

Bayelsa Warns LG Officials Against Pension Payment Delays

Published

on

The Bayelsa State Government has warned principal officers of local government councils in the state to desist from delay in presentation of names of prospective retirees in good time for processing and payment of pension benefits.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, handed down the warning on Wednesday at a meeting with the chairmen and principal officers of the eight local government councils in Government House, Yenagoa.

Advertisement

Ewhrudjakpo directed that the names of retiring workers should be submitted at the latest by the 18th of every month to the office of the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Timipre Seipulou, for processing.

According to him, anyone found culpable of sabotaging the policy which is aimed at achieving seamless payment of retirees’ benefits, would be sanctioned.

READ ALSO:INEC Extends Voter Registration In Anambra Amid High Turnout

Advertisement

He said he was desirous of bequeathing an effective and efficient local government system where his successor would not grapple with the issue of delayed payment of pensions and gratuities.

Ewhrudjakpo, who decried the backlog of unpaid pensions, said the government will work out modalities to ensure that retirees receive their pensions a month after retirement from service.

He specifically directed the chairmen to work closely with the technical adviser on treasury and accounts to come up with a model for the payment, as available funds cannot be used to clear all outstanding gratuities amounting to about five billion naira at once.

Advertisement

The Deputy Governor equally advised local government administrators to make provisions for annual leave for employees to serve as motivation.

READ ALSO:Bayelsa Poly Workers Protest Withheld June Salaries

He used the opportunity to thank all eight local government chairmen for their cooperation and suggestions that have so far contributed towards the achievements recorded in the various councils.

Advertisement

Hw said, “Our reason for calling this meeting is to give information, a directive, and a warning. One thing that I have is that I don’t know how to spare indolence, docility, laziness, incompetence, and deliberate obstruction of the wheel of progress.

“We have taken a decision that all those who are retiring every month must be paid their pensions. That decision has come to stay. But the report I am having is that some of you in the local government system are trying to frustrate it by not volunteering the necessary information.

“You were told to timely furnish the Technical Adviser on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Seipulou’s office, with your monthly reports concerning retirees.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:NAF Debunks Fake Recruitment Advert, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

“I am not happy that local government officers are frustrating the process.

“Chairmen, take note: every local government must submit its report by the 18th of every month, provided it is not a Sunday or Saturday. Even if it is a Saturday or Sunday, we will give you the benefit of submitting on the 20th.

Advertisement

“Any local government that does not do that, next month, I will transfer the treasurer and anybody that is involved in the process.

“Our brothers and sisters who have been on the queue are complaining that those who are going out now are being paid. So, every hand must be on deck to ensure we pay up the backlog.

READ ALSO:INEC Extends Voter Registration In Anambra Amid High Turnout

Advertisement

We are desirous of paying up pensions. We believe that by the end of this month, as we work round the clock, we are going to see the best way to put it behind us.

“What I want to do, by the grace of God, before I step out of this place, is that I don’t want to leave behind liabilities such as a backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities for anybody.”

In their separate remarks, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Local Government Chapter, Mr Noel Itade, and the Head of Brass Local Government Council, Comrade Clement Etifa, commended Ewhrudjakpo for his effective supervision and initiatives that have repositioned the local councils for efficient service and project delivery.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Access To Sexual, Reproductive Health, Key To Sustainable Societies – UNFPA

Published

on

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that ensuring access to sexual, reproductive health and rights is a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive societies.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, the UNFPA Executive Director, stated this in Bauchi on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2025 World Population Day organised by the state government.

Advertisement

According to her, it is imperative for governments at all levels to also create an avenue where people who wanted to experience the joys and rewards of parenting could meet their fertility goals.

This, she said, would give them the hope for a better tomorrow supportive of their choices and protective of their rights and where they, and their children would thrive.

READ ALSO: Talents Hunt: Bauchi Goes After Students For International Representation

Advertisement

Represented by Deborah Tabara, the Gender, Reproductive Health Analyst of UNFPA in Bauchi, Kanem reiterated the commitment of the fund in partnering with the state government.

She said the partnership would harness the dividend of the state’s youthful population in developing programmes, strategies, plans, and budgets that promote inclusivity and equality.

“UNFPA remains an agency for reproductive Health and our mission is to deliver a world where all pregnancy is wanted, all maternal birth safe and all young persons achieve their potentials.

Advertisement

“Family-friendly policies including affordable and accessible childcare, generous and flexible parental leave, and promotion of fathers’ participation in care-giving can help prospective parents balance career and family goals.

READ ALSO: Polio: Community Leader Leads Successful Campaign Against Vaccine Rejection In Bauchi

“Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is another imperative that supports informed choices.

Advertisement

“Intergenerational understanding is crucial to build trust and strengthen solidarity and fairness across generations,” she said.

Also speaking, Hajiya Amina Katagum, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said this year’s theme called for considerations on the crucial role young people play globally, in Nigeria and in Bauchi state.

Represented by Barr. Abubakar Bununu, Special Adviser to Gov. Bala Mohammed on multilateral coordination, Katagum added that it recommended that government and stakeholders listen to young people and respond to their needs and desires.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Polio: How UNICEF Moves To Eradicate Menace In Bauchi

She explained that this would contribute positively to the development of their societies and create the families they want.

“It is our responsibility as governments, the Private Sector and other key stakeholders to build a more equitable, sustainable and caring world where young people are empowered to pursue the lives they want for themselves and their families,” she said.

Advertisement

The theme of the 2025 world population day is ‘empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world’.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

24 Pro-Biafran Detainees Freed After Four Years

Published

on

The last batch of 24 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who had been held in detention since May 24, 2020, were released from custody on Thursday following a ruling by the Ebonyi State High Court.

In the court charge sheet no: HIK/10C/2024, obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, the 24 detainees, out of a group of 36 held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering charges.

Advertisement

Their release was also confirmed in a press statement on Thursday by the IPOB’s lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who revealed that the freed inmates had endured years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges.

Ejiofor said they were “unlawfully” held even after being severally discharged and acquitted on the same facts by not less than five respectable high courts in Ebonyi State.

READ ALSO:How AAUA Undergraduates Were Raped, Killed, Corpses Disposed Of By Killers – Police

Advertisement

He said, “A momentous chapter was written today, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Ebonyi State High Court, as the last batch of 24 Biafran detainees, out of a group of 36 unjustly held since May 24, 2020, were finally discharged and acquitted of all lingering frivolous and unfounded charges.

“These innocent citizens had endured years of prolonged, unconstitutional detention under recycled and repackaged allegations/charges , even after being severally discharged and acquitted on the same facts by not less than five respectable High Courts in Ebonyi State.

“Today’s historic ruling followed our preliminary objection which powerfully highlighted the brazen violation of their fundamental rights: particularly the constitutionally guaranteed protection against double jeopardy, enshrined under Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Advertisement

“This sacred principle, autrefois acquit, stipulates that no person shall be tried again for an offence in respect of which they have previously been acquitted.

READ ALSO:IPOB Rejects FG’s Ranching Proposal, Says It’s ‘Land Grabbing’

“In a bold, fearless, and intellectually profound ruling, His Lordship, Hon. Justice I. P. Chima, upheld our arguments in their entirety and lent judicial weight to the cause of justice.

Advertisement

“We salute the learned Judge’s exceptional courage, depth of reasoning, and unwavering commitment to the sanctity of the Constitution. His erudition and moral clarity have restored faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“Above all, we return all glory, honour, and adoration to the Most High God -ChukwuOkike Abiama—our eternal rock, fortress, and deliverer. This is another unprecedented victory, made possible only by His mighty hand. We acknowledge that without Him, this milestone would not have been possible.”

According to him, in line with the court’s directive for their immediate release, prompt steps are being taking to ensure full compliance without delay.

Advertisement

He commended his colleagues in chambers, whose tireless research, resilience, and dedication have once again produced the noble triumph.

READ ALSO:IPOB Members Regain Freedom After 12 Years In Prison

“We are also grateful to the legal team of the Government of Ebonyi State, who, in open court, pledged to ensure this judgment is obeyed to the letter. Similarly, the correctional authorities have undertaken to immediately hand over the freed detainees to us without resistance or delay; a commitment we shall hold them to.

Advertisement

“The joy of today will ripple far beyond the walls of the courtroom. It will be a thing of immense joy seeing the reunification of these families, some of whose wives had been abandoned, children lost, and parents buried in sorrow during this long period of incarceration.

“Now, we look forward to the healing and rebuilding phase. We urge the relevant agencies of the Ebonyi State Government to urgently consider appropriate measures for rehabilitation and reparation of these victims, even without prompting.

“Today marks the end of a painful four year ordeal. The light of justice has finally pierced through the dark clouds of oppression. Once again, to the Almighty God be all the glory; it can only be Him. With God, we have conquered. Justice has spoken. Freedom is restored. A new chapter begins.”
(PUNCH)

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending