By Daniel Tyokua
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has vowed to continue to protect and empower telecom consumers against unfair practices in the country.
Speaking during the ‘NCC day’ at the 16th Abuja International Trade Fair by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) at the weekend, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Umar Danbatta, said the Commission is committed to promoting best practices in the technology driven market.
He explained that NCC has the regulatory mandate of ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services get value for their money, and that they are treated as the most important stakeholder in the scheme of things.
Danbatta who was represented by the Director Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said in line with the consumer-centric initiatives, the NCC recently unveiled a new Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), which articulates the Commission’s policies and regulatory implementation roadmaps for the next five years, covering 2020-2025.
“The new roadmap, a 5-Point Agenda, has the overarching objective of increasing connectivity and service experience for the consumers, just as the first Strategic Vision Plan for 2015-2020, paid special attention to the issue of empowerment and protection of the consumer”
According to him, the five consumer-centric items of the new SVP 2021-2025 are Organizational Renewal for Operational Efficiency and Regulatory Excellence; Facilitating the Provision of Infrastructure for a Digital Economy which fosters National Development.
Others are Promoting Fair Competition, Inclusive Growth, Increased investment and Innovative Services; Improve Quality of Service (QoS) for Enhanced Consumer Quality of Experience (QoE); andFacilitating Strategic Collaboration and Partnership.
He said, “The SVP will generally focus on the excellence and efficiency of our regulatory activities and ensure increased connectivity to telecoms consumers through deployment of robust infrastructure and the Fifth Generation (5G) network, recently approved for rollout by the Federal Government. In this regard, the Commission is set for implementation aimed at ensuing robust, available, accessible and affordable broadband/telecom service delivery to consumers.
“It will also provide a level-playing ground for operators to thrive, promote investment and delivery of innovative services to consumers, and ensure enhanced consumer quality of experience.
“We also have the strategic collaboration and partnering, which also occupies a very strategic pillar of the NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2021-2024. Indeed, our participation at this and other Trade Fairs is consistent with that strategic thrust”
