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THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, will continue to strengthening its regulatory function to ensure fair competition and sustainable growth of the telecoms sector.

On its day at the 38th Kaduna International Trade Fair, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the commission, said that huge opportunities still exist for private sector investment and growth for the telecoms market. Represented at the occasion by Ephraim Nwokenneya, deputy director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Danbatta said the number of telecoms subscribers have continued to grow exponentially with the sector contributing towards job creation and GDP growth in Nigeria.

According to him, in 2015 alone, the telecoms sector added 8.6 per cent to national Gross Domestic Product, GDP, compared to 8.9 per cent in 2016 despite the current economic recession in the country.

“It goes without saying that the commission supports the promotion of public private partnership as a strategy for accelerating growth and development hence our commitment and efforts in promoting active participation of all stakeholders in the industry.

“In NCC, we recognise the critical role of the consumer in what has become the success story of Nigeria’s telecoms sector. Hence, we regard the consumer as king in all our activities.

“We recognise that it is our responsibility as the regulator to see that the industry satisfies the needs of this class of stakeholders and that the consumer remains protected at all times.”

He disclosed that in accordance with the commission’s eight-point agenda and as a consumer centric organisation, the year 2017 has been declared by the NCC as a special year for the Nigerian telecoms consumer. He explained that the programme was geared towards celebrating and empowering the Nigerian telecoms consumers.

He added:  “In the next few months, we hope to unveil detailed plan of action that will give concrete expression to our declaration of 2017 as the year of the consumer.”

He urged consumers to take advantage of some of the  initiatives  put in place by the commission to ensure  consumer satisfaction index in the industry. These, according to him, include the toll free line 622 provided for lodging of complaints (if any) on the services provided by mobile network operators in the country.

“You can also activate the Do-Not-Disturb service on your mobile lines. The Do-Not-Disturb service provides you an opportunity to opt-out of unsolicited messages/calls or choose the kind of messages you would wish to receive” he said. – Thisday.

Mar 3, 2017 @ 9:00 GMT

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