ABUJA -(Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy Report) – The spokesperson to the Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman on the 25th of November, 2019 notified the general public that the Office of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is not unaware of the clandestine attempts by some unpatriotic elements to sabotage the efforts being made by the Ministry to deliver its mandate to Nigerians.
He described as no longer news that the proactive policy direction, anti-corruption and economically empowering principles, characteristic of the current leadership of Isa Ali Ibrahim (Dr) has impacted hugely on the lives of ordinary Nigerians who have hitherto been helpless in the face of blatant exploitation.
According to him, since assumption of office, the Minister has consistently rolled out policies that strive to protect the consumer and entrench discipline and professionalism in the sector and this stand has obviously ruffled some feathers whose sole aim has been to discredit Isa Pantami’s mass-friendly policies.
“Investigation into the suspicious activities of some disgruntled elements has exposed attempts at a malicious smear campaign, bankrolled by unscrupulous elements who are uncomfortable with the Minister’s people-oriented policies because they can no longer conduct business as usual. The strategy is to compromise the media, using financial inducements and they have raised a considerable amount of money for this campaign,” he stated.
“The objective of this bogus façade is to intimidate us into allowing the continued exploitation of Nigerians by compromising regulators. The gentlemen and women of the esteemed fourth estate of the realm are hereby called upon to shun all attempts at demeaning the noble pen profession and uphold the integrity of their character. We commend the resilience of some media persons who resisted the lure of evil, refused to be compromised and reached out to us. We are proud of the level of professionalism and patriotism demonstrated by the press which resulted in the woeful failure of the despicable campaign.”
Uwa Suleiman promised that the Office of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy shall pursue and uphold its mandate, in line with the Three Point Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. Adding, no acts of corruption or injustice shall be condoned as Government will neither be intimidated by fifth columnists or any agents of dubious intentions, nor be blackmailed into submission.
He continued that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has considered it duty-bound to provide non-discriminatory policy directions for the benefit of every Nigerian. This, he said is to ensure that consumers are protected from exploitation, provision is made for an enabling environment for investors and operators, as well as enhanced independence of all regulatory Parastatals under his purview.
While observing that the hitherto existing relationship between Regulators and Operators which more often than not compromises the former is one that cannot thrive under the current leadership, he emphasised that the Minister is determined to ensure that the unhealthy dependence of regulators on operators is addressed so that the regulators can be very objective.
The Communications Spokesperson urged the general public to be alert to the shady activities of these corrupt individuals, and to disregard any information that contravenes the policies of the Ministry. He expressed the Ministry’s resolve to persist in rendering public service in line with global best practice.
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