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Telecoms legislation… Powers vested in PM open door for prejudice – AFC
Executive members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) have expressed concern over the powers vested in the Prime Minister, in the Public Utilities and Telecommunications Legislation, which they say if passed as is, will open the door for prejudice to take place.
This concern was highlighted by AFC Parliamentarian Trevor Williams, yesterday at a press briefing held at Side Walk Café on Middle Street.
Williams informed media operatives that as he sits on the Committee which has already scrutinized almost three-quarters of the 95-page document, it is looking forward to the Committee completing its work and presenting this legislation to the National Assembly before the recess period. It is estimated that another three to four sessions will see the Committee reading through the entire Bill, clause by clause.
The MP said that the Committee has received written submissions from almost all major stakeholders in the sector and awaits follow-up oral presentations.
AFC MP, Trevor Williams
The AFC Member said that a number of amendments and changes have been recommended and a few issues have been flagged for later discussions. He said that the Committee has opted to delay discussions on Part Eight of the Legislation, the Spectrum Management, Numbering and Domain Name Management, since a technical presentation covering these issues is scheduled to be done by experts.
He then stressed that as discussions continue the powers of the Minister and fines and penalties for various offences remain an area of much debate and concern. These powers, Williams noted, can be used in a very discriminatory manner.
He highlighted as well that the extremities of some of the penalties is also an area of concern. He said that it is being reviewed by a panel of lawyers.
Williams said that what they found is that the penalty for someone who obstructs justice is minimal when compared to the penalty for someone who is found selling or distributing equipment that can disturb frequencies. The AFC Member then pointed out that when those factors are taken into consideration, it is unfair to pass it the way it is.
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