A Bill seeking to reduce unsolicited telephone calls and text messages received by subscribers has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill, sponsored by Rep. Aliyu Madaki (Kano APC), seeks to empower subscribers with the option of not receiving the unsolicited communication.
The Bill will also empower aggrieved subscribers to file civil suits against service providers before a high court, and receive compensation.
Some lawmakers argued that the issue should not become a law but should be an amendment to the NCC Act.
The Bill has been referred to the committee on telecommunications for further legislative inputs.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had mandated telecommunication operators to create awareness on the existence of the ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND) database, which shields subscribers from receiving unsolicited messages or calls.
The regulatory body made this known in its 2015 Q4 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Reports.
According to the report, the commission had received various complaints from subscribers regarding unsolicited text messages and calls from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the industry. (Channels TV)