The Senate has debunked a report that it asked the Federal Government to suspend the deployment of 5G mobile network during Tuesday’s plenary.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru, denied such report via a tweet.
“The report is not true. Senate’s sole resolution is for relevant committees to investigate & determine the status of 5G network & technological impact on Nigerians,” the Osun Central Senator wrote.
The Senate had on Tuesday directed its committees on communication, science and technology and health to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the status of the 5G network in Nigeria.
The Senate resolution was sequel to a motion on the present status of 5G Network in Nigeria sponsored by Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra).
Ekwunife, in her lead debate, said there were growing concerns on the on-going discussion about the current status of 5G network in Nigeria, especially in regards to the question, ‘if Nigeria is presently connected to 5G.’
She said there were further concerns by some scientists and medical experts that emission from 5G towers could adversely affect the health of citizens by causing symptoms like damage to the eyes and immune systems, among other adverse effects.
Ekwunife, however, said that 5G network has also been reported to hold a lot of promises for mobile broadband services because of its faster speed and better capacity.
She expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding whether or not the 5G network has been launched in Nigeria will continue to fuel the speculations and rumours concerning the deployment of 5G network and its faster effect on the citizen of Nigerian.
The lawmaker also said that several countries, including Switzerland, one of the world leaders in the roll out of 5G mobile technology has placed an indefinite moratorium on the use of 5G network because of the health concern.
She said that it was important to investigate the status of 5G network in Nigeria to ensure that Nigerian citizens are not exposed to unreasonable risk of great bodily injury or harm.
The concerned committees will report their findings to plenary within two weeks.
