Kevin Udume, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday resolved to suspend the deployment of 5G network in Nigeria pending a thorough investigation on the technological impact of the deployment of the network on Nigerian citizens.
The Senate made this resolution while addressing a motion moved by the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife on the need to investigate the present status of the 5th Generation (5G) network in Nigeria.
Moving the motion at plenary, Senator Ekwunife noted with concern, reports by some scientists and medical experts that the emissions from the 5G towers could adversely affect the health of citizens by causing symptoms like damage to eyes, antibiotics resistance, and other physiological effects on the nervous and the immune systems if the network is not properly deployed.
While acknowledging that 5G network may hold a lot of promise for mobile broadband services, Ekwunife harped on the need for Nigeria to be mindful of the recurrent health hazards which are usually associated with technological advancements such as the 5G network. She therefore called for a thorough test prior to the deployment of the new technology.
She noted that investigating the true status of 5G network in Nigeria will ensure that Nigerian citizens are not exposed to an unreasonable risk of great bodily injury or harm.
Consequently, the Senate resolved to direct its committee on Communication, and the committee on Science and Technology to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the status of 5G Network in Nigeria and its technological impact on Nigerian citizens.