TheCable

Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, says the telecommunications sector is crucial to the economic development of the country.

Dogara said this at the weekend while inaugurating an ad hoc committee investigating the operational activities of telecommunications equipment and service companies in the country.

The speaker who was represented by Pally Iriase, deputy majority whip of the house, said lawmakers must ensure that those who do business in the country adhere to the laws.

“The telecommunications sector has a crucial role to play in setting the stage for rapid economic development of our great nation and this notwithstanding, every responsible person both corporate and individual is expected to operate within the laws of the land and the rules and regulations governing the industry to which they belong,” he said.

“As lawmakers, we must ensure that those who do business in Nigeria do so in accordance with the constitution and laws of the land.

“Let me state that by the way of a reminder, that the house reposes a lot of confidence in the ability of members of the committee to deliver on this assignment within the time frame specified in the terms.

“I should like to use this occasion to caution all stakeholders to voluntarily cooperate fully with the committee to ensure that the objectives of the investigation are accomplished so that the need to compel such cooperation does not arise.”

On his part, Ahmed Abu, chairman of the committee, said they have invited the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant stakeholders to investigate issues such as assessing the tax compliance telecommunications status amongst others.

He also promised that the committee would not witch-hunt anyone but carry out its job diligently.