The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered telecom companies to stop selling new mobile lines in the country.
In a letter to telecom companies on Monday, the commission said it was committed to reviewing the registrar’s database, and that the order would remain in place until it was finalized.
“In line with the directives issued by the federal government to ensure compliance with the queuing registrar, the commission is committed to verifying the registrar’s registrar to ensure compliance and coordination,” according to a letter which was signed by the NCC’s director of operations, A.I Sholanke.
He further added, “Therefore, you are instructed to suspend the sale and launch of your company’s new lines until the investigation is completed.
“Unless absolutely necessary, special orders can be issued with the approval of the federal government through the NCC.”
The letter also warned companies that if they failed to comply with the order “their operating licenses could be revoked”.
The NCC’s director of public relations, Ikechukwu Adinde, said on Wednesday that the move was necessary because of “the proliferation of unregistered lines, which are used to commit crimes”.
