General News
Nigerian govt moves to control media, allocates N4.8bn to monitor WhatsApp, phone calls
A total of N4.8 billion was allocated to NIA to monitor in the 2021 Supplementary Budget approved by the National Assembly last week.
A total of N4.8 (4,870,350,000) billion has been allocated to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, text messages, among others.
Of the figure, N1.93 billion was earmarked for “WhatsApp Intercept Solution” and N2.93 billion for “Thuraya Interception Solution” – a communications system used for monitoring voice calls or call-related information, SMS, data traffic, among others.
This was contained in the supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly last Wednesday.
The lawmakers had approved and passed a supplementary budget of N982 billion (982,729,695,343) for the 2021 fiscal year, against the N895 billion proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari – indicating an increase of about N87 billion.
While N123.3 billion was fixed for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, N895 billion was earmarked for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2021,
Another N45 billion was approved for foreign aid/loans.
This budgetary allocation comes amidst several attempts by the federal government to limit freedom of expression in the country – an act many have described as a means to gag the media.
It comes barely a month after the federal government suspended the operation of Twitter in the country on June 4.
Besides, the National Assembly, particularly lawmakers at the House of Representatives, are in the process of amending several media bills with the aim of “regulating the media.”
-
Environment4 weeks ago
Zoomlion, Graphic Clean Koforidua Ahead Of Independence Day Celebrations
-
Insurance2 weeks ago
Trailblazing with Grace: An Interview with Yvonne, C.O.O of Bedrock Insurance on Her Journey through Leadership and Empowerment in the Insurance Industry
-
Environment2 weeks ago
Zoomlion Sets Gold Standard in Waste Management at 2023 All African Games
-
Features and Opinions1 week ago
Empowering Women, Driving Innovation, Leading with Integrity: Kakra Journey to Success
-
Environment2 weeks ago
Zoomlion Supports Buz Stop Boys To Clean Parts of Accra
-
Banking and Finance1 week ago
Interview with Rebecca on Her Journey of Resilience and Inclusion in Ghana’s Microfinance Industry
-
General News4 weeks ago
We don’t have space to accommodate graduates from tertiary institutions – Ghana Employers Association
-
Banking and Finance4 weeks ago
Bank of Ghana Suspends Guaranty Trust Bank, FBNBank over ‘fraudulent documentation’