Director General of National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), Daniel Kaitibie has assured managers of community radio stations that going forward, the Commission will dialogue with radio station managers on issues of compliance regarding spectrum usage and operation.

He made this assurance over the weekend in Bo City during the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Golden Anniversary, marking 50 years of SLAJ. The AGM was well-attended by both SLAJ members and guests.

The assurance given to radio station managers thrilled journalists who demonstrated their joy with rounds of applause, citing that this had been the main contention for radio station managers. They openly remarked that they are eagerly looking forward to the dialogue and interaction as promised by the NATCOM DG.

Below is his full speech: 

STATEMENT BY DG KAITIBI AT THE SLAJ AGM. JUNE 2020

Mr. Chairman, Hon. Minister of Information and Communications, President of SLAJ, Esteemed members of the high table, my friends in the media world, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I bring you greeting from the Chairman/ Commissioner, Board, Management and staff of NATCOM.

I feel honored to be here with you at your golden jubilee Annual General Meeting. It’s been 50 years since your esteemed association, the fourth estate union was founded. Fifty years is no mean feat… Congratulations.

You will all agree with me that over the years SLAJ and NATCOM have worked very closely and collaborated on several issues of public concern on telecommunications from the regulators point of view.  We are cognizant of the fact that the chemistry between people is the chemistry that matters. Let me hasten to say that we will continue to deepen our collaboration and engagement of course in line with the theme of this year’s AGM…” Looking Forward: Towards a Strong and United SLAJ and a Free and Professional Media.

You have continued to give our operations at the Commission the prominence it deserves on all available platforms. For that, we are grateful.

We at the Commission have realized and made aware that Telecommunications is keeping economic hopes alive in several developing countries, Sierra Leone being no exception. Telecommunications services have largely sustained economic activity and business operations for many companies amid COVID-19.

Over time, we have continued to create the enabling environment for telecommunications service delivery, as critical elements of an effective regulatory framework, which includes: accountability and predictability, consumer protection, dispute resolution and enforcement powers are now visible at the Commission.

Some of your concerns relating to compliance checks, community radio station spectrum fees, and radio frequency harmful interferences are all on our radar to be addressed.

We are all in it together- we have to coordinate well- Our doors at NATCOM are always open. Trust, Ladies and gentlemen that we have to be united in everything we do.

The Commission will continue to actively engage service providers to continue to roll out strong telecoms infrastructure so that everyone will get strong signals for telecommunications service delivery in line with the President’s idea of giving an all-inclusive effective connectivity to the people of Sierra Leone.

With these kind remarks, I wish you well in your AGM.