NOA Says No Evidence Links 5G To COVID-19
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said that there is no scientific evidence linking the 5 Generation network (5G) to coronavirus.
There have been speculations linking the 5G to the coronavirus pandemic and that MTN Nigeria had been licensed to run the 5G in Nigeria.
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Addressing the speculation, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Sunday. said that telecom masts in the country were not 5G installations, adding that “there is no scientific evidence linking 5G network to coronavirus outbreak.”
“Not one Nigerian network provider is transmitting on the 5G network as the government is yet to issue licence to any of them to do so.”
“You have a duty to protect critical national infrastructure and assets of which telecom equipment is one.” NOA added in the statement.
In a separate statement on Saturday, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said that the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) had not, “deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.”
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He added that the NFMC had embarked on a three-month study from November 25 2019, to “critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria.”
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing health of Nigerians over any technological innovation.
“The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens,” he said.
Pantami also explained that the government would not “act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.”
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