The House of Representatives yesterday threw out a motion calling for the privatisation of the comatose Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL).
Government had several times unsuccessfully put up the company for privatisation.
In a motion on the need to privatise NITEL sponsored by Rep. Chris Emeka Azubogu, the lawmakers sought the leave of the House to mandate the committee on communications to investigate the mode of unbundling of NITEL and report back to the House within four weeks.
However, majority of legislators contended that it was a shame that Nigeria does not have a national telecommunication company and as such NITEL should be revived.
Rep. Kamil Akinlabi (PDP, Oyo) maintained that telecommunication is a very sensitive issue and should not be left completely in the hands of foreigners.
After a heated debate, members voted to the opposition thereby rejecting the motion.
Meanwhile, six months into the 2012 fiscal year, the House moved to approve the year’s budget of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The 2012 budget of N48.8 billion scaled second reading on the floor of the House yesterday and was referred to the committee on communications for further legislative action.
Source: dailytrust.com.ng