A vendor of Nigeria’s leading cellphone provider tries to register a SIM card at Ibafo, Ogun State, on May 25, 2015. Telecoms operators said at the weekend they may be forced to shut down networks if no fuel supplies are found for generators that power base stations and switches. Meanwhile, the major companies and unions that distribute petroleum products across Nigeria agreed on Monday to end a devastating fuel strike that has largely shut down Africa’s biggest economy. May 25, 2015| Credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEIThe Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has promised to do more to protect and empower consumers of telecommunications services in the country.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, spoke when he presided over a consultative forum on the Draft Regulatory Framework for the Provision of Value Added Services in Nigeria.
The forum, another landmark toward implementation of consumer protection and empowerment, was attended by representatives of consumer communities, operators and services providers, National Assembly and the media.
Danbatta described the framework as a decision that will not only make consumer happy, but the operators and the regulator will be its biggest beneficiaries.
“So this is a response to this important t statement of action, which we have made deliberately in our 8-Point Agenda and a response to legislative directives as well as a response to yearnings of the operators for the rules of engagement to be made very clear for them as well as to protect and empower consumers of telecommunications services in Nigeria. I am proud to say the NCC is known to set the pace in regulatory excellence. We are going to do more in this particular area.
“Consistent with our 8- Point Agenda, we put consumers at front burner of our regulation. The regulatory excellence that we would like to be known for, you will be the ones to asses as to whether we are doing this to our best ability, “ he explained.
“I’ve listened to the operators, too, who complained about lack of rules of engagement on Value Added Services (VAS) provision. And as such we are today, addressing concerns across the broad spectrum of telecommunications sector, concerns that are inimical to the progress of the industry, concern if addressed will make the rules of engagement very clear, and will make operators, consumer and regulator very happy,” he added.
Hon. Douye Diri, representing House of Representatives Committee on Communications, commended Danbatta-led NCC for injecting new vigor in consumer protection policy, adding that:” with this new posture, consumer confidence is gradually restored”.