By Uche Amunike
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has drawn its attention to some online media publications alleging that former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is involved in Mafab Communications Limited.
Recall that Mafab Communications Ltd is one of the winners of the 5G spectrum which was sold by the commission in the public auction held on Monday December 13 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
According to NCC, their consistent long-established regulatory culture and tradition of the process leading to the auction of the 5G spectrum was fair and transparent, as it followed a rigorous due process which was also witnessed by a cross-section of stakeholders made up by observers, including the Media, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, civil society groups and Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria.
Mafab Communications Limited is a corporate organization appropriately licensed by the Commission to conduct telecommunications business.
Spokesman of the NCC, Doctor Ikechukwu Adinde disclosed in a statement signed by him, that the company currently holds International Data Access (IDA), Interconnect Data Exchange (IDE), Value Added Service (DES) licences and remained in good regulatory standing with the commission.
‘It is pertinent to state that the Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum clearly set out eligibility criteria for participation of interested bidders in the auction, which included that new companies could participate in the bid’, the Commission said.
It went on to explain in the statement that the NCC has had spectrum actions as an independent regulatory agency and also been able to maintain a clear cut contribution of successful auctions that are centered around openness, fairness and transparency which are widely acknowledged locally and internationally.
It is pertinent to state that the Information Memorandum (IM) for the auction of the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum clearly set out eligibility criteria for participation of interested bidders in the auction, which included that new companies could participate in the bid’, the Commission said.
It also stated that the commission’s action proceedings are in tandem with international best practice without any undue influence or interference whatsoever.
As for the 5G auction held recently, the statement said that a higher standard of integrity and openness was placed on it, as it was the first time the public was witnessing the process both physically and virtually through a link with the commission on its official website.
The Commission would like to assure Nigerians that, following the successful auction of the 5G spectrum, it is prepared to drive the implementation of the next phase of the deployment of the new technology, in line with the Federal Government’s approved plan, for the benefit of all citizens.
Mafab Communications Limited was incorporated on July 8, 2020, but licenced by the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission to provide and operate local interconnect and international carrier services. They are connected to all MNOs in Nigeria and international wholesale carriers, the world over and provide Cloud hosting /Co-location services.
