The National Assembly of Federal Parliament today unanimously approved the National Communications Act to regulate the country’s telecommunication sector. The bill, finally endorsed by 158 votes to 1, was submitted to parliament in early July 2017 after consultations with all stakeholders in the last few months.
The telecommunications bill calls for the creation of telecoms regulatory authority, development of the country with telecommunications technology, protecting corporate and consumer rights and more participation by private sectors in developing the sector.
Drafting of this bill started as early as 2004 and has been sitting in front of 7th, 8th and 9th federal parliaments. However, due to non-stop efforts and change of strategy by the Ministry leadership, who have been working on it day and night, the bill is now the first to be approved by the 10th parliament.
H.E. Abdi Ashur Hassan, minister for Posts, Telecoms and Technology, in winding up debate on the legislation, said the Bill had been allowed to remain idle for years, while technology was changing rapidly. He thanked the federal parliament for approving this bill unanimously and making a history.
“We recognise the tremendous and increasing impact that the telecoms sector has on the advancement of our economy and society. This Bill is a major breakthrough for the Somali people and the telecommunications sector in particular. It has been long promised, and we are indeed proud, to present the Bill for debate and passage by this honourable House,” Minister Ashur stated.
“The real work starts now. Let me assure this House and the nation as a whole that the Ministry’s and Government’s focus and commitment to the national resources, which the new bill explicitly states such 252 and dotSO, is absolute and unconditional,” the minister concluded.
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Media and PR Office,
Ministry of Posts, Telecom & Technology
