The House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, has asked the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) to ensure that service providers undertake Corporate Social Responsibility of greater benefits to their host communities.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter Akpatson, made the request in a remark during a courtesy visit by the ATCON executive and members on Friday in Abuja.
He said that some telecommunications service providers operating in the country are doing their best to undertake corporate social responsibility roles in their host communities but there are still concerns that many other operators are not doing enough in that regard.
According to him, the legislature will work collaboratively with the executive arm of government and investors in the telecommunications sector to find amicable solution to some of the major challenges in the operating environment
He also said the House Committee ‘ll set up a sub-team comprising of both the members of the House and the operators in the industry to ensure that issues of security, investment in critical infrastructure and enabling legislations are properly addressed.
Earlier in an address, National President of the association, Mr Tony Emoekpere, said that operators in the telecommunications sector are facing so many challenges due to the harsh operating environment.
He said tht unless there is concessionary funding of the sector from key stakeholders, they cannot operate in full capacity, adding that the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, broadband penetration had recorded 70 percent at the moment.
