The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has stated that it plans to do more in ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services in the country are better protected and empowered.
This was made known on Thursday by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Umar Garba Danbatta, who presided over a consultative forum on the Draft Regulatory Framework for the Provision of Value Added Services in Nigeria, held in Lagos.
According to the spokesperson to the vice chairman, Yakubu Musa, this is part of an 8-point agenda being pursued by NCC.
“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,” he observed.
“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.”
Danbatta also assured operators in the industry of level playing field that will be beneficial to them as well.
“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 assured.
Speaking on behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Douye Diri commended the NCC for bringing vigor into its consumer protection policy.
“With this new posture, consumer confidence is gradually restored,” Diri noted.