*The Nigerian Communications Commission demonstrates, at the recent ‘NCC Special Day’ during the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair, the telecoms sector regulator’s commitment to establishing seamless programmes to Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) telecoms consumers through several consumer-centric initiatives across the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its commitment to sustainable financing and taxation, fair completion for all industry stakeholders for business growth and development, as well as safeguarding the interests of consumers in the telecoms ecosystem in the country.

绿帽献妻 reports Malam Alkasim Umar, Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) at NCC, stated this in his remarks at the “NCC Special Day” during the 18th Edition of the Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF), held in the FCT recently.

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) organised the event with the theme, “Sustainable Financing and Taxation as Drivers of the New Economy鈥�.

Addressing company Chief Executives, industry stakeholders, indigenous and foreign exhibitors and entrepreneurs,

telecoms consumers on the occasion, Umar described聽 the Commission as “an independent national regulatory authority” that oversees telecommunications services in Nigeria.

On the core mandate of NCC, the Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau said as the telecoms sector regulator in the West African country, the Commission carries out its functions to ensure service availability, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities.

According to the CAB Chief, the NCC plays “a critical role in the development of the telecommunications industry” in the country.

He particularly applauded the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising the Trade Fair, and for choosing the theme, “Sustainable Financing and Taxation as Drivers of the New Economy鈥�.

Umar affirmed the theme was timely and relevant as the industry stakeholders navigate the challenges of sustaining the Nigerian economy while ensuring a conducive business environment.

Sustainable financing/ taxation, business viability and consumer protection in ecosystem

Umar also stressed as the telecoms industry on Nigeria continues to grow and evolve, it is essential聽 the stakeholders addressed the issue of sustainable financing and taxation for long-term viability.

He reiterated NCC鈥檚 commitment to ensuring fair competition and a level-playing field for all stakeholders in the telecommunications industry, particularly in safeguarding the interests of consumers from abuse of their rights and privileges, and against unfair practices in the telecoms service value chain.

The Commission鈥檚 PIE mandate, consumer-centric initiatives and programmes

The Director of CAB noted: “This commitment is demonstrated by the Commission鈥檚 continuous effort to establish seamless programmes that will Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) telecoms consumers through various consumer-centric initiatives, such as Consumer Education Outreach Programmes: These programmes include the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), Telecom Town Halls on Radio (TTR), Telecom Consumer Conservation (TCC), Professionals鈥� Dialogue, Village Square Dialogue, Television (TV) Dialogue, and Trade Fairs such as this one today, NYSC, Student – Campuses.”

He listed others as Consumer Complaints Management (CCM), through which the Commission has created various channels of lodging complaints, which include:

• NCC Toll-Free 622 Contact Centre, which is available between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily except on Sundays and Public holidays.
• Consumer Portal http://consumer.ncc.gov.ng
• E-mail: Consumer can send mail to (consumerportal@ncc.gov.ng)
• Consumer X (Twitter) account @ConsumersNCC, Facebook, Instagram.
• Written complaints submitted to the NCC Head Office, in Abuja, or any of the Commission’s Zonal Offices in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano States.

Umar further explained the development of the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code.

He stated this was established in 2016 for telecoms consumers to stop unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls.

To activate the FULL DND service to stop all unsolicited messages and calls, Text 鈥淪TOP鈥� to 2442 and for PARTIAL DND service, Text 鈥淗ELP鈥� to 2442 to select the type of messages you want to receive.

Development of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which ensures that telecoms consumers can switch from one network to another without changing their original Phone Number.

The Director highlighted the strategic partnership with law enforcement agencies to protect telecoms Infrastructure.

He disclosed the telecoms regulatory Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police and National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to help in protecting critical telecoms infrastructure from vandalisation.

Other NCC’s consumer-oriented initiatives and programmes he discussed at the event are the ongoing campaign against sales and buying of Pre-registered SIM Cards.

He said consumers should be aware that buying pre-registered SIM Cards is a criminal offence in Nigeria.

Campaign on NIN-SIM Linkage 鈥� To help improve security in the country, and the regulator’s direction on Roll-Over of Data.

He explained the Commission had directed Service Providers to Roll-Over unused data at the expiration of a data plan provided it is renewed within the stipulated time frame as approved below as follows:

1. One (1) day data plan has one (1) day to renew.
2. Above one (1) day but less than thirty (30) days has three days to renew.
3. Thirty (30) days has seven (7) days to renew.

The Commission, Umar noted, established the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja.

The TELCARE Desk was set up to further provide the Commission with the following value and mileage, he stated.

The Desk was specifically set up to:

1. Serve as additional platform to receive and facilitate the resolution of consumer complaints;
2. Provide a platform for telecom consumers to make enquiries on consumer issues;

iii.聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Provide a platform for advocacy on any thematic consumer issue or concerns;

1. Enhance awareness of the Commission鈥檚 activities.

The NCC as well introduced the Harmonised Short Codes, in which it recently, directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to commence implementation of approved Harmonised Short Codes (HSC) for providing services to Nigerian telecoms consumers.

“The measure initiated by the Commission is a bid to improve the Quality of Experience (QoE) of consumers across all mobile networks.

“The new initiative will enable consumers using the over 223 million active mobile telephone lines in Nigeria to use the same codes to access services across all networks.

“For instance, the same code *310# will be used for checking airtime balance across all the networks,” Umar said.

He urged the participants and visitors to the Abuja Trade Fair to visit the NCC Pavilion on the Exhibition ground to make enquires, know more about the activities of the Commission, and meet face-to-face with representatives of Service Providers to attend to their complaints and other network-related issues.

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