Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has been identified as one of the countries in the world with the cheapest cost of communication, the Nigerian telecom industry regulator, NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) has said.
The NCC boss, Professor Umar Danbatta, who was represented by the NCC’s Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ms. Josephine Amuwa disclosed during the 30th Lagos International Trade Fair held recently.
Although telecom operators sometime ago made moves to increase the tariff, the NCC in collaboration with other stakeholders had intervened, just to make sure that Nigerians enjoy undisrupted telecom services.
The industry regulator at the event reiterated that the Commission is working rigorously to ensure that consumers do not pay for telecom services at exorbitant prices.
“The NCC recognizes that consumers need to get value for their money and be taken seriously as relevant stakeholders
“Let me recall that in the eight-point agenda of my administration, the issue of empowerment and protection of consumers occupies the sixth position. The vision is to protect consumers from unfair practices through the availability of information to make informed decisions in the use of the ICT services,” he said.
Josephine disclosed that the strategy adopted by the industry regulator to achieve laid objectives was to educate and empower consumers on issues around telecom services.
“The consumers need to act fast whenever necessary in the use of enforcement to protect telecom services consumers’ rights.”
Head, Media, and Public Relations, NCC, Reuben Muoka, who was also present at the event in Lagos, emphatically stressed that the rate obtainable in Nigeria cannot be compared to other countries, where tariffs are usually high.
“NCC is concerned about the welfare of consumers and it important for consumers not to hesitate to forward their complaints about any service provider to the NCC.”
