*In consonance with its core mandate on consumer protection and other consumer-centric programmes and initiatives, the Nigerian Communications Commission further 聽explains several rights and privileges consumers need to know in the country鈥檚 ICT/telecoms ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), at several fora in recent times, has restated the foremost telecoms regulatory Commission鈥檚 central mandate remains the promotion and protection of consumers鈥� interests in the West African country.

绿帽献妻 reports the NCC, in consonance with this mandate focusing on consumer education and other consumer-centric programmes and initiatives, again, has highlighted several rights and privileges consumers need to know and demand from the service operators in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and telecoms space in the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy.

Why we continue to treat consumers as Kings and Queens 鈹�Danbatta

Recently, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, re-emphasised the importance of according consumers their rights and privileges on the 鈥楴CC Special Day鈥� at the last 42nd Edition of the Kano International Trade Fair 2021, in Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

RELATED: Telecoms Regulator鈥檚 Central Mandate Is To Ensure Consumer Protection 鈹�NCC

Prof. Danbatta stated: 鈥淭his is why at NCC, we continue to treat consumers as Kings and Queens.

鈥淥f course, that is who they are because without the consumers, both the regulator and the service providers have no business being in business.鈥�

Some telecoms consumers鈥� rights and privileges

The NCC, in its latest consumer sensitisation campaign online and offline, stresses the following rights and privileges you should enjoy as a telecoms consumer in the economy:

• You have the right to timely installation, restoration and repair;
• You have the right to accurate, clearly worded and organised bills;
• Telecoms consumers have the right to action on disputed charges;
• One of the rights you have as a telecoms consumer is the right to privacy;
• As a telecoms consumer, you have the right to timely redress;
• As a telecoms consumer, you have the right to choose;
• As a telecoms consumer, you have the right to be safe;
• As a telecoms consumer, you have the right to be informed;
• Know your rights as a telecoms consumer; and
• You have the right to quality service.

Emulate NCC鈥檚 template on consumer protection 鈹�Royal Father

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, who represented the EVC/CEO on the occasion, said the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, other influential individuals as well as telecoms consumers applauded the Commission for the regulator鈥檚 several consumer-centric programmes and initiatives.

NCC’s ‘Shine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu’ consumer sensitisation campaign in Benin City

Alhaji Bayero as well commended the Management of NCC, led by Prof. Danbatta, on being consumer-focused in their regulatory activities in Nigeria.

RELATED: Danbatta Restates NCC鈥檚 Commitment To Broadband, Consumer Protection, Digital Economy

The royal father then, urged other government regulatory agencies to emulate NCC鈥檚 template of constantly creating platforms, leveraging different fora, and emplacing frameworks and initiatives to enhance consumer protection in their respective sectors which they supervise in the country.

Danbatta reiterated the Commission鈥檚 commitment to protecting and empowering consumers, whether individuals and corporate consumers, from unfair practices willingly or unwillingly orchestrated by the service providers.

鈥淭his is based on our regulatory mandate of ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services deserve to get value for their money, and to be treated right as very important stakeholders in the scheme of things,鈥� he said.

Our central mandate is to promote, protect Nigerian consumers鈥� interests, says CAB

Similarly, when restating that NCC鈥檚 central mandates include promotion and protection telecoms consumers鈥� interests, the Nigerian Communications Commission also urged consumers to be wary of what they do on the Internet, and individuals they allow to access their communication devices.

RELATED: NCC鈥檚 Policy Engagement With Stakeholders For Quality Consumer Experience, Says Danbatta

The Commission made the declaration in Benin City, Edo State capital, at the recent first edition of a consumer advocacy initiative tagged: 鈥淪hine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu鈥�, facilitated by the Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) of NCC.

In his address at the event, Prof. Danbatta noted the Commission demonstrated its seriousness in protecting consumers鈥� interests with the creation of CAB, in 2001, as a full-fledged department to oversee the fulfilment of this significant mandate.

Strategic partnerships with stakeholders on consumer protection

The EVC/CEO, represented at the forum in Benin City by Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director of CAB, further stated that the Commission has been able to actualise this essential mandate through strategic collaborations with consumer advocacy groups and relevant stakeholders in the country.

READ ALSO: NCC Board Chair Tasks Telecoms Operators On Fulfilling Licensing Obligations

鈥淭he NCC has collaboratively been creating awareness and remodelling programmes appropriately and implementing new initiatives, such as 鈥楽hine Your Eyes鈥�, in order to share information and educate the consumers, and to nudge them to take informed decisions to enhance their protection,鈥� Danbatta stated.

He said due to increased accessibility to resources on the Internet, millions of telecoms consumers are also experiencing rise in tempo and sophistication of cybercrimes in recent times.

READ ALSO Interview: How Sustained Cybersecurity Awareness Will Address Online Frauds In Nigeria 鈹�Expert

According to him, financial fraud has been on the increase, and has been quite concerning for the regulatory Commission, which Danbatta stated is determined to ensure that telecoms platforms are not used to perpetrate crimes in the Nigerian economy.

He thus indicated that the NCC is determined to enhance the existing partnerships with all stakeholders in order to mitigate, and ultimately, stop the risk factor widely associated with the use of electronic payment systems in the country.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission assured Nigerians that the telecoms regulator would continue to stimulate increased access to digital infrastructure to support businesses and individuals, as well as constantly protect consumers鈥� rights and privileges in the ecosystem.

The telecommunications sector has been a major driver of the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government, and the NCC will continue to provide the needed digital sinews that support the economy, Danbatta noted.

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