Minister urges NCC Governing Board to protect telecoms consumers

*Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, has urged the Governing Board of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission to protect telecoms consumers, describing this as ‘the main responsibility of the Board’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has restated the strategic importance of ensuring consumers’ rights are protected, especially in the telecoms ecosystem, as it recently described the mandate as the “main responsibility” of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure consumer protection.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, has urged the Governing Board of the telecoms regulatory Commission to protect telecoms consumers in the West African country.

Prof. Pantami stated this when he inaugurated Prof. Mansur Bindawa, a Non-Executive Commissioner, as the ninth member of the NCC Governing Board March 28, 2022,  in Abuja, FCT.

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Recall that the Nigerian Senate in the National Assembly earlier March had confirmed  Prof. Bindawa as a Non-Executive Commissioner on the Commission’s Board.

According to the Minister, the NCC Board has the powers to approve certain categories of licences and regulations.

He also noted that the newly inaugurated member is a good addition that would support the Board and consolidate its achievement in taking the Commission higher.

Pantami further stated: “I want to use this opportunity to remind the Board of its responsibility; the main responsibility of the board is to ensure consumer protection.

“The board must ensure that as consumers, our interest is well protected.”

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He also said: “The Board also has power to approve licence as the case may be.

“There are different categories of licences and the Board also has the power to approve regulations governing the Commission.”.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Adeolu Akande, Chairman of the NCC Governing Board, said the telecoms sector would benefit from Bindawa’s wealth of experience.

He urged him to see the Board, Management and Staff  of the Commission as a family.

The Chairman stated: “We look forward to the benefits that your addition will bring to the Board.

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“We have worked as a family at the board, management and staff level. And we believe that you will complement it.

“He is the fourth Professor in the nine member NCC board. That is the importance of the intellectual on the sector which has been acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, commended the Minister for bringing someone competent to fill in the vacancy on the Board.

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Danbatta urged Bindawa to see the regulatory Commission as a family and contribute his knowledge to its growth.

The NCC Chief said: “I must commend tireless minister of communication and digital economy for making sure that the board is complete.

“You will find the NCC board as a family and you will have the opportunity in our meetings to contribute to the growth of the NCC.

Bindawa, a professor of Agronomy, also thanked the government, and promised to work in synergy with other Board members of the Commission.

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