Abuja — The House of Representatives Committee on Communication has tasked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to adhere to the provision of the 2009 budget targeted at the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which is meant for the building of communication infrastructure in the country. This was stated yesterday during the committee's visit to the commission's headquarters in Abuja.

Chairman, House Committee on Communication, Hon Dave Salako, said the house was "committed to fulfilling its over sight function but not witching any agency", stressing that, "the National Assembly expectation from the commission is the full implementation of the budget as it concerns the Universal Service Fund by following the approved process that is required in the budget".

While briefing the house delegation, the Executive Secretary of the fund, Funso Fayomi, said that the delay in the implementation of the projects was due to the delay in the implementation of the 2009 budget, "the implementation of the projects is yet to commence as the contract for most of the projects are yet to be awarded, the reason for this situation is the delay in the approval of the 2009 budget".

He further maintained that, "some of the projects have been awarded to Contractors while some are awaiting for the approval of Federal Executive Council and Ministerial Tenders Board". He also stated that the projects would involve all segments of the society.

The Universal Service Provision Fund is mandated and designed for the implementation of Base Transceiver Stations, Co-location Infrastructure Projects, Community Communication Centres, School Access Project and Tertiary Institutions Access Projects.

Some of the projects are expected to attract communication and other ITC facilities to rural communities, the Community Communication Centres targets for 2009 is to establish 109 centres, one in each of the Senatorial Districts across the country.'