By Angela Nkwocha
In a bid to check the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are in tandem with government initiatives to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide safety and support aid materials that will protect the public against coronavirus.
The Commission said it has also put in place measures to support initiatives by other stakeholders to curtail the scourge.
NCC in conjunction with industry players and all other government agencies have agreed to reduce the frequency of physical meetings all through the period of the coronavirus outbreak and consider alternative electronic meeting platforms, in order to reduce person to person contact that may arise from travels or meetings.
This is made known in a statement from its Director Public Affairs, Henry Nkemadu.
He averred that Departments within the Commission that interface with customers have developed e-platforms where all licensing requests, consumer complaints and BTS investigation requests could be channeled or provide designated e-mail addresses to be used for such requests throughout the pandemic period.
He further revealed that, “the Commission has also approved resource sharing by operators throughout the period of coronavirus. These include fibre optics cables and other resources in the event of cable cuts and other unforeseen developments during the period of coronavirus outbreak.
“All social and official visits to the Commission have been cancelled immediately and visitors advised to use relevant online platforms and or telephone services in accessing the Commission’s services”.
He called on those affected, to take advantage of the Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) by dialing the toll free number 112, adding that the NCC supports Right of Passage (RoP) for all telecommunications members for easy movement in the event of a total lockdown and or restriction of movement.
