House approves N6b for SIM card registration

Proceedings at the House of Representatives was brought to a halt yesterday when members discovered that the controversial 2010 budget of the Nigerian Communications Commission which allocates N6.1 billion for SIM card registration has been passed clandestinely. The sitting became quite rowdy and a furious Dimeji Bankole, the speaker, was seen walking out of the plenary, followed by other equally angry members.

For many months, most of the lawmakers had opposed the budget, insisting that it was a clear waste of money since the telecommunication companies were already registering their customers. Indeed, last Tuesday, 18 members made such loud protestations against the budget that debate on the matter was again shelved.

Yesterday when calm returned to the House, Mr Bankole came back to the sitting and showed support for the passage of the budget by parrying every comment against it. The budget has been stalled mainly because of the robust opposition to the inclusion of a provision for N6.1 billion for the registration of SIM cards.

This demand by the Commission had received such vehement opposition from members that the speaker had to recommit the conference report on the budget Bill to an ad hoc committee for scrutiny, and recommendation to the House.

Members had always argued that SIM card registration is the responsibility of the service providers who are already doing that free of charge for their respective subscribers.

The committee, led by West Idahosa who was recently recalled from suspension, approved the N6.1 billion for SIM cards registration on the basis that it does not contravene the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act as charged by some members who opposed the budget.

Sneaky

Rabe Nasir, a member of the ad hoc committee, however said that the budget was surreptitiously passed by only 18 members of the House the previous Thursday.

“I am surprised to read in the votes and proceedings of Thursday November 25, 2010 that the budget has been passed without deleting the item for SIM cards registration,” Mr Nasir said.

He said he was surprised that the budget report was introduced for consideration on a supplementary order paper, and was approved when there were only 18 members left on the floor that day. He added that the approval breached his personal privilege as a member of the House, as well as a member of the ad hoc committee.

Mr Bankole, who was apparently angered by Mr Nasir’s comment, ruled him out of order, and walked out of the plenary leaving the stage for his Deputy. The members also stood, grumbling and threatening to abandon the plenary only for the speaker to reappear, blaming his walk-out on a problem with his caftan.

“This is not the first time I have handed over to the Deputy Speaker to preside,” he said, denying that he had walked out on the members most of whom were on their feet when he returned. When someone noted that he wasn’t smiling when he left, he said, “I will smile all the way as I walk out of the chambers now.”

The issue was not discussed in any detail after his return, thus confirming that the budget has been passed.

The spokesperson of the Commission, Reuben Muoka also expressed delight at the passage of the budget, saying the process was long overdue.

“This is a 2010 budget that we are talking about. We are happy that the budget has been approved so that we can get to work. It is with mixed feelings that we receive this news. Our budget ought to have been approved earlier but it has been delayed due to unnecessary controversy. All the same, we are happy that our promise to Nigerians to do the SIM card registration can now be fulfilled,” he said