By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Monday 11th January 2021, the country’s regulator of the telecommunications sector in Sierra Leone, the National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) has presented its 2019 Annual Report to the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara.
Presentation of the Annual Report took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Communications, 8th Floor, Youyi Building in Freetown.
Chairman of NATCOM, Ambassador Joe Blell, while doing the presentation said their major responsibility is to regulate telecommunications sector and provide licenses for telecommunications operators and service providers, protect consumers’ interest and ensure fair competition among service providers.
He furthered that what they are doing is in line with the Commission’s mandate which clearly states in Section 9 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 2006 (as amended), that the Commission shall present an Annual Report to the Minister of Information and Communications for onward submission to Parliament.
Amb. Blell noted that the 2019 Annual Report highlight key corporate activities of the Commission particularly the telecommunications ecosystem and the public sector in an accountable and transparent manner.
He commended the Minister and his Deputy for their support over the years and assured them of continued cordial relationship.
The Director General of the National Telecommunications Commission, Daniel Kaitibi, revealed that the last time NATCOM presented an annual report to the Ministry was in 2012 which is about 7 or more years ago.
He maintained that what they are doing is in line with the Telecommunications Act of 2006 (as amended) and that they will continue to work in line with the Act to the letter.
“This is a new NATCOM with renewed zeal and determination to work for the people of Sierra Leone and to ensure that MNOs work within the ambit of the law and are properly regulated,” he said, adding that he appreciate the support from the Minister of Information and his Deputy and assure them of their continued collaboration.
Receiving the report, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, commended the leadership of NATCOM for their relentless efforts in putting such a document together.
He disclosed that the last time the Ministry received an Annual Report from NATCOM was in 2012. She described the direction taken by NATCOM as the right direction under the new direction leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.
“I know a lot have happened in the telecommunications sector in terms of changing the narrative; I urge you to continue in that direction and assure you of the Ministry’s continued support”, she said.
Madam Gobeh Kamara assured the leadership of NATCOM that the Ministry will ensure that the NATCOM 2019 Annual Report is presented to Parliament as provided for in the Telecommunications Act of 2006 (as amended).
