The Nigerian Communications Commission has ordered telecommunication companies to restore all blocked telephone lines following protests by thousands of customers.
Several subscribers were unable to use their phones on Sunday after their numbers were blocked.
Less than 24 hours later, subscribers whose lines were barred because their SIM cards weren't linked to their National Identity Numbers swarmed telecommunications companies' offices.
The NCC, in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, directed the restoration of blocked telephone lines in response to widespread disruption and subscriber outrage caused by the blockages.
The disconnection of telephone lines coincided with the anticipated nationwide protests on August 1, causing citizens to worry about potential communication disruption.
The telecoms and the industry regulator, however, chastised the suggestion, insisting that the disconnect was compliant with the data harmonization initiative.
The NCC said, “The consumer is our priority; therefore, considering the challenges the blockages have caused, the commission has directed all operators to reactivate all lines that were disconnected over the weekend, because of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their NINs with their SIMs.”
The NCC also clarified that the affected consumers should note that this reactivation was for a limited period to allow them to properly link their NINs to their SIMs.
To keep access to their services, the commission asked those subscribers who had not yet validated their SIMs to do so right away.
