NCC policies, regulatory activities prioritize consumer satisfaction- Danbatta
By Modupe Shodeinde
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured telecom consumers across the country that the central organizing principle of the commission’s regulatory activities is aimed at ensuring consumer protection and satisfaction.
According to the the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, during Commemoration of the 2021 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) which held on Monday, the interest of consumers is of paramount importance to the commission.
He stated that the commitment of the commission is Protecting, Informing and Educating telecoms consumer.
“I wish to reiterate that all activities of the NCC are designed to give assurance to the consumers that their interests are of paramount importance to us.This is because without the telecom consumers, there will be no telecom operators and there would be no regulator” Dambatta said
“As the global community celebrates the WCRD 2021, the NCC is aligning with the philosophy of this day to reiterate its commitment towards providing accurate, adequate and timely information and education to consumer to take informed decisions and feel protected.”
The EVC reiterated that the mandate to protect, educate and inform the consumers embodies the philosophical commitment of the commission towards strengthening its consumer-centric initiatives and policies.
“The Nigerian Communications Act 2003 – enjoins the Commission to protect the interest of the consumers, which the Commission has done religiously, through subsidiary legislations, guidelines and directions that proactively address consumer concerns and stipulate the responsibilities of all stakeholders.
“We had made declarations to curtail excesses of some operators and to expand the frontiers of freedom for the consumers. Warnings had been handed out and fines have been imposed on erring operators. Determinations have also been made by the Commission to ensure consumers are neither shortchanged nor denied their privileges and rights.”
The event which held virtually themed “Tackling Plastic Pollution” aimed at raising awareness and engaging consumers in tackling the global plastic pollution crisis.
The commission stated this was necessary because electronic wastes which the commission has been spearheading its regulation has plastic components.
“In line with this year’s celebration, it bears restating, that, while the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is concluding processes to issue the regulation on Electronic Waste, it is mindful of the fact that many ICT and telecom devices have plastic components, whose waste materials could worsen plastic pollution.
“We reckon that improper disposal of such disused ICT-plastic embedded products have grave implication on public health, and especially in achieving Goals 11, 12 and 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
These goals speak to the imperative of adhering to practices that enhance Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production; as well as Climate Action respectively,” Danbatta said.
The EVC also disclosed that to protect telcom consumers from fake and substandard mobile devices, usually made of iron and plastic components, the commission collaborated with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other relevant government agencies to inaugurate a committee to implement Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS).
This initiative is designed as a Public-Private Partnership aimed at combating the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned communication devices in the telecommunications industry.
Speaking on linkage of SIM cards with the National Identity Number, Dambatta said the commission mandated full compliance with the registration guidelines to stop the use of improperly-registered SIMs, which usage is difficult to track.
“Having a credible subscriber database helps in tracing a SIM card to the real owner in case of any criminal investigation. This will help in curbing the painful rise in tempo of kidnapping, robberies, banditry and similar crimes committed with the aid of the use of SIM cards.” he said.
The EVC also unveiled a new consumer handbook which he said is “a compendium of consumer information materials compiled to enhance education and protection of the consumer.”
