NCC committed to strengthening regulatory function, says Chief Executive

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said it remained  committed to strengthening its regulatory function to ensure fair competition and sustainable growth for the  telecoms market.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba –Danbata, stated this while speaking during the NCC Day at the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Garba-Danbatta was represented by Mr Ephraim Nwokenneya, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of the commission.

He said that the commission would sustain the growth of the telecom market, as well as explore the huge opportunities that existed for private sector investment and growth for the market.

Garba –Danbata said the commission also supported public-private partnership,  the theme of this year’s Fair.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission is an agency of government with the statutory responsibility of facilitating the provision of good quality and affordable telecom service in Nigeria.

“It is a fact that the telecom revolution in the past 15 years, has changed the way we live, work and play,” he said.

The NCC chief executive said that the number of telecom subscribers continues to grow exponentially, with the sector contributing towards job creation and GDP growth .

“In 2015 alone, the telecom sector added 8.6% to national GDP, compared to 8.9% in 2016. This is in spite of the current economic recession in the country.

“It goes without saying that the Commission supports the promotion of public-private partnership as a strategy for accelerating growth and development, hence our commitment and efforts in promoting active participation of all stakeholders in the industry.

“In NCC, we recognise the critical role of the consumer in what has become the success story of Nigeria’s telecom sector, hence we regard the consumer as king in all our activities,” he said.

Garba-Danbatta said that in line with their eight- point agenda and as a consumer eccentric organisation, the Commission had declared 2017 as a special year for the Nigerian telecom consumer.

“This programme is geared towards celebrating and empowering the Nigerian Telecom Consumer.

“In the next few months, we hope to unveil detailed plan of action that will give concrete expression to our declaration of 2017 as the year of the consumer,” he said.

The NCC boss therefore urged all to take advantage of some of the Commission’s initiatives that had been put in place to ensure consumer satisfaction  in the industry.

“These include the toll free line 622 provided for lodging of complaints (if any) on the services provided by mobile network operators in the country.

“You can also activate the Do-Not-Disturb service on your mobile lines.

“The Do-Not-Disturb service provides you an opportunity to opt-out of unsolicited messages/calls or choose the kind of messages you would wish to receive,” he further advised.