Lamido of Adamawa applauds NCC for consumer education, protection initiatives

*Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa, in Adamawa State, commends the Nigerian Communications Commission on the telecoms sector regulator’s range of consumer protection initiatives, while providing the enabling environment for service providers to offer good Quality of Service to consumers in the digital ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Acknowledging the telecoms sector regulator’s range of consumer education, enlightenment and protection initiatives across the country, the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha, has lauded the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

ConsumerConnect reports the NCC held its recent Village Square Dialogue (VSD) at the weekend in Yola, Adamawa State capital.

Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha, the Lamido of Adamawa

Prof. Abubakar Tahir, Kakakin Adamawa, representing Lamido Adamawa at the Commission’s Consumer Conversation programme with the theme: “Know Your Rights as Telecom Consumers”, in Yola, said the event marked a privilege for individual telecoms consumers and businesses in the state to ask questions and get face-to-face response from the regulator on telecom-related issues.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated the royal father said: “We must commend the NCC for the great work it has been doing in the area of consumer education and enlightenment.

“Aside from being the regulator of the sector, the NCC leadership has taken the issue of consumer information very central.

‘We thank you for bringing this laudable initiative to the good people of Adamawa.”

On accessible, quality and affordable telecoms services for consumers

Lamido Adamawa also the  the telecoms regulatory Commission to consider exploring other areas that could lead to further reduction in the cost of telecoms services and to ensure that services are available in most parts of the country.

He equally stated that “the Commission should kindly look inwards, and ensure that all communities in the country continue to enjoy cheaper, better, qualitative and more accessible telecommunications services.

NCC committed to maximum protection for consumers: Danbatta

In his address on the occasion, Alkasim Umar, Director of Consumer Affairs at NCC, who represented Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, said the country’s telecoms sector regulator had always been at the forefront of ensuring maximum protection for telecoms consumers.

The Commission, he noted, as well provides the enabling environment for the licensed service providers to be able to provide good quality of service to the consumers.

Umar also stressed “the NCC remains committed to its mandate of protecting, informing and educating consumers of telecoms services across all the 36 states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“This essence of the Village Square Dialogue, as one of our outreach events, is to provide a face-to-face interaction among the NCC, the service providers and the consumers.”

Some consumer-centric initiatives of NCC

Speaking on some of the consumer-centric initiatives of the Commission in the telecoms ecosystem, the Director of Consumer Affairs disclosed that the Commission recently introduced the harmonised Common Short Codes, which provide uniform codes for telecoms consumers to access any consumer service type across all networks, either for airtime loading, checking airtime balance, call centres, data plan balance, and so on.

Umar reminded telecoms consumers of the availability of the NCC Toll-Free Number 622, which they can use to make complaints to the Commission on any telecoms service-related issues with their service providers.

He as well mentioned the 112 Emergency Number to seek succour during emergencies, and the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442 Short Code to block unsolicited messages.

“Information and education are key to the empowerment of telecom consumers.

“The protection of the rights and interests of telecom consumers is one of the mandates of the Commission, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

When telecoms consumers are duly informed and educated, they are protected against the unfair practices by the service providers,” stated he.

According to Umar, everything in the current digital world revolves around telecommunications services, and educating consumers plays an important role in informing them, clarifying issues, and empowering them through information and enlightenment.

Umar equally said: “It is a great decision which will sensitise the people about their rights, privileges, and the expectations they have about the telecoms businesses in the country.”

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