Pundits predict further procrastination at NBTC

Pundits predict further procrastination at NBTC

Choosing new board could take one year

Telecom veterans have warned that the selection of new members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board will not be easy and is unlikely to be accomplished in a single attempt due to the conditions contained in the amended NBTC Act.

Concerns have also been raised about the long delay in the establishment of the board, which could prolong the decision-making vacuum at the key agency that regulates the country’s telecom and broadcasting industries.

The six existing commissioners at the agency had their working term extended by the previous military regime — they were originally due to leave the position in October 2017.

This granted them permission to stay in their positions until the new…