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General News of Monday, 6 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami speaks on coronavirus and 5G

Isa Pantami Isa Pantami

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has reacted to the controversy linking coronavirus with 5G network.

Speaking in an interview on Channels TV, Pantami stated that he's yet to see any research linking coronavirus with 5G network.

Dismissing speculations about the safety of the network, Pantami stated that online comments on the issue won't be followed by the government.

“Firstly, it is not what is said online that government will work with. We are always taking decisions based on the opinions of experts, based on research.

“When it comes to health, we have (the) World Health Organisation and many health bodies.

“I just want you to bring out any research which they have conducted and (in which they) made their position about 5G’s relationship with COVID-19. I am yet to see anyone from the World Health Organisation.

“This is a body that accommodates our experts in health globally. We have ITU, the International Telecommunication Union.

“I just challenge you to let me know one expert or ITU as a body or any other professional body that conducted research and also made it public that this is the position."

Pantami who revealed that the trial for 5G network in Nigeria took place in November 2019, stated that they await recommendations before deciding on deploying the network in the country

“There is no approval for any operator to deploy 5G; this decision will be taken after research and we are taking our time. Many countries deployed 5g – the US, UK, Germany, South Korea, India, and many more.

“We are not in any way rushing; we are more interested in doing an extensive investigation so that we will be able to come out with something tangible."