The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Communication Technology and Innovation Chaired by Hon. Boston Munda has on Saturday 29 June,2024, concluded its three-days oversight visit to various telecommunications sector in the provinces.
The purpose of the Oversight visitation was to evaluate the effectiveness on the broadband and the impact of Mobile Network Accessibility. The Committee assessed the communications infrastructure, offices and the services of NaTCA, UADF and SALPOST in Port Loko, Bo, Kenema and Moyamba Districts respectively.
In his statements, Hon. Boston Munda commended both Parliament and the Government for supporting the Committee to undertake its activities as prescribed in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Hon. Munda highlighted the mandate of the Committee, adding that they were out in the field to obtain to firsthand information on the operational activities of telecommunication entities their challenges.
In Port Loko District, the Committee visited the burnt office of SALPOST and resolved SALPOST land dispute with the land owner.
In Bo District, the Committee engaged the Postal Service and the National Telecommunication Authority respectively.
At the Postal Service, the Acting Post Master, Mr. Willey Davies explained to the Committee how they received letters from Freetown to Bo District. He explained the process of receipt and dispatch of letters and other items to the four sections of Bo District.
He further highlighted the challenges of the postal service including the distributions of letters and cleaning of the facilities. “We received and dispatch letters across Bo Town,” explained.
At the National Telecommunication Authority in Bo, the Acting Manager, Engineer Mohamed Kembeh said they do a constant monitoring on the spot checks to MNOs, Internet Service Providers, Radio and TV stations to check for quality services. He said they also monitor Septrum payment and also undertake community outreach on the education of Cyber Security. The Head of NaTCA in Bo also noted the delay in accessing Police Permit for call log requests to MNOs for cybercrime investigations.
In terms of challenges, he said they are using their private vehicle to do official activities of the office and went on to inform the Committee on cyber related arrests. He expressed frustration over the lack of equipment to monitor the operational activities.
In Kenema Post Office, the postal delivery staff, Prince Foday explained to the Committee that only two retired staff are working in the Postal Service and went on to narrate the deplorable working conditions of the post office.
At the National Telecommunication Authority Kenema, the Committee was very displeased with the overall management of their activities. The Committee observed that, the Manager Mr. Lamin Lahai was adversely affecting the smooth operation of the institution.
Mr. Lamin said in the process of monitoring, they find out that sim cards are sold without the due process of the law.
Both heads of NaTCA in Bo and Kenema presented huge quantities of unregistered sims sold by agents to customers without going through the due process of the law.
Noticeably, the Committee observed that only Qcell had the least amount of confiscated sims. According to the Head in Kenema, Qcell Sim sale agents have more complaints.
In Moyamba District, Yoyema community, the Committee joined the rural telephone project symbolically launched by Orange-SL with the theme “Expanding to the Underserved and Unserved “.
The Hon. Chairman Boston explained the role and functions of MPs which is not only limited to Law making, but also representation and Oversight.
He called on the Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation to access Universal Development Fund (UDF) to implement more projects in deprived communities across the country.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department
Parliament of Sierra Leone
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