NCC solicits telecoms consumers’ support to protect infrastructure, improve service delivery

*The Nigerian Communications Commission urges communities to protect significant telecoms infrastructure for enhanced quality of service across the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In continuation of the regulator’s consumer education and sensitisation programmes and initiatives, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has solicited the support of telecoms subscribers in complementing the Commission’s important efforts at ensuring improved service delivery in their communities across the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, made the appeal at the Second Edition of the Village Square Dialogue (VSD), one of the Commission’s consumer outreach programmes.

NCC’s participants’ VSD registration desk at Danbatta, in Kano State

The dialogue, which recently held in Danbatta Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, focused on, “Protection of Telecom Infrastructure for Improved Quality of Service: The Role of Residents.”

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs, Thursday, June 2, 2022, stated Prof. Danbatta, while addressing telecoms consumers and traditional rulers at the forum, said to ensure improved telecoms service delivery, a community must protect telecom infrastructure in its vicinity by allowing the installations of equipment and maintenance or repairs on sites by technical staff of service providers.

Represented at the forum by Engr. Bako Wakil, Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity of NCC, the EVC/CEO also enjoined members of respective communities in the LGA to guard against destruction of telecoms infrastructure, through prompt notification of service providers of any ongoing road construction activities by companies or government agencies to avoid service disruption that may arise from damaged infrastructure.

The EVC/CEO further stated that protecting telecoms infrastructure is very important in any community, as the ability to connect and communicate is fundamental to human existence considering its centrality in improving businesses, government services, education, communities and families to share information through seamless connections.

He also highlighted that technological advances have assisted people to gain access to learning opportunities outside traditional schooling.

“Today, you simply need a computer, smartphone, and the Internet connection to do so many things and telecoms infrastructure in your communities provide the critical facilities that support Internet access to these devices and therefore, you are expected to protect the infrastructure,” he said.

Corss-sections of participants at the forum

Danbatta, particularly, noted that vandalism of telecoms infrastructure has a negative impact on the community as such damage reduces coverage area, leading to ‘dead spots’ on the network which result in poor Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) by the consumers.

Besides, Danbatta said that destruction of telecoms infrastructure discourages investment in network expansion by operators.

Besides, satisfaction of basic needs, and improvement in education, he told the participants that by protecting telecoms infrastructure, they are helping to create jobs, promote e-commerce, assist farmers in the villages to connect with potential buyers in the cities, as well as enhancing connectivity through which citizens in both rural and urban areas are able to harvest their potential, access information, and engage in social interactions among others.

The NCC Chief further stated: “Therefore, as a community, you are expected to report cases of telecoms infrastructure vandalism to the nearest law enforcement agents such as the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and share adequate information received from NCC with your family, friends, neighbours.

“We believe that together and with your cooperation as critical stakeholders in the telecoms sector, we can all work with the law enforcement authorities in protecting telecoms infrastructure in your community.”

While reiterating the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the telecoms consumer is protected, well-informed, empowered and educated on telecoms-related issues, Danbatta reminded the participants of the availability of NCC-instituted toll-free number 622 for resolving telecoms service-related complaints; the Emergency Number 112 to get succour during emergencies; the 2442 Do -Not-Disturb Short Code for managing cases of unsolicited text messages, among others.

He also encouraged participants to leverage the various social media and Web portals of the Commission to lodge complaints for effective and satisfactory resolutions in the country’s telecoms ecosystem.

“One of the NCC’s core mandates is to ensure that the consumer is the main focus of the Commission’s regulatory activities.

“This is why Section 104 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 mandates the NCC to ensure that service providers meet such minimum standards of QoS as the Commission may, from time to time, specify and publish; deal reasonably with consumers; and adequately address consumer complaints”, Danbatta said.

The NCC as well disclosed event was preceded by a courtesy visit to Alhaji Wada Waziri, District Head of Danbatta community, who expressed delight at the mission of the Commission in his community.

It is recalled the maiden edition of the VSD took place April 2022, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.