The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is making efforts to ensure that consumers are getting the right information from telecommunication service providers in the country.
The NCC had recently charged operators to ensure that accurate information and education is given out to consumers not to create confusion in their minds when making right choices.
This was disclosed by Mr. Yomi Olawoyin of the Initiative for Support and Promotion of Consumers Right recently at the 28th edition of consumer’s town hall meeting organised by Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), in Eket Local Council of Akwa Ibom State.
Yomi who spoke on the theme, “Information and Education: A Catalyst for Consumer Protection,” said the need for information and education of telecom consumers as failure could give credence to lies and uncertainties in the minds of consumers rendered by operators.
“Therefore, well channelled information based on truths and empirical facts will enable the consumers to make the right choice of telecom service providers and their products.
“Also, without availing the telecom consumers the right and appropriate education by the service providers, their choice of service provider, product, tariff and other applications will be impaired,” he said.
He explained that disclosing the right information and education consumers are of great importance to telecom operators as this would have significant impact on their revenue.
He therefore tasked operators to look inwards and favourably consider the subscribers, as some channels through which information is disseminated are elitist in content, thereby not meeting the needs of the less privileged consumers.
Further, he also called on the participants to take advantage of the forum to express constructive opinion that would bring about positive changes in the industry.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi Maikano, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, disclosed that sanction will be imposed on service providers if such acts continues, stressing that consumers must be accorded basic rights such as the right to be heard, right to be educated, right to redress as well as right to safety and protection.
He urged the Telecom operators to disseminate information to consumers in plain and simple language and ensure that information provided to consumers are relevant, current, accurate and timely, promised that the commission would continue to ensure timely and fair redress of complaints and protection of consumers from the unwholesome practices of some service providers.
