NCC to strengthen collaborations with telecom consumer rights advocacy groups

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to tackle consumer-centric issues in the telecom eco-system.

This is coming as the commission hosted the second quarter meeting of Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF), the first virtual meeting of the forum.

According to a statement signed by Ikechukwu Adinde, director, public affairs, NCC, the telecoms regulator reiterated its commitment to increase partnership with consumer rights advocacy groups in the sector to expand the sphere of consumer education through timely, accurate and adequate information sharing.

It said this will enhance the level of education of the average telecom consumer in the country.

Umar Danbatta, the executive vice chairman and chief executive of the commission, who spoke through Efosa Idehen, the director, Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB), said the commission is working consciously and appropriately to ensure that continuous and informed conversations take place among all stakeholders in the industry on all matters, particularly as it affects telecom consumers, who are the lifeblood of the sector.

“We are, therefore, committed to partner ICAF and other stakeholders in the telecom industry to stimulate value-adding conversations that will generate ideas to sustain and advance the relevance of telecommunications as a critical enabler of digital economy,” Danbatta declared at a brief in-house evaluative session on the ICAF meeting.

As a testimony to NCC’s readiness to work harmoniously with other stakeholders in the industry, the Commission, in collaboration with ICAF, is finalising the production of Telecom Consumer Handbook, in order to deepen consumer education about telecom products and services.

ICAF requested all telecom consumer rights advocacy groups to enhance their activities and programmes on telecom consumer information and education; and to be involved, in synergy with the Commission, to increase sensitisation on infrastructure protection.