We need to put back smile on the faces of the consumers. There is going to be transparency around tariffs, we are still working out modalities. Two of them (service providers) have concluded plans to engage audit firms to audit their billing systems.
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
In a bold commitment to ensure Nigerians receive value for their resources in the telecommunications sector, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to placing telecom consumers at the core of its services. This emphasis on consumer welfare was emphasised during a recent meeting with editors in Abuja, where key strategies and initiatives were discussed.
Dr. Maida underscored the NCC’s mission to prioritize consumer satisfaction while also safeguarding the interests of service providers and ensuring government revenue generation, highlighting the delicate balance that must be achieved.
While promising to be accountable, Maida pleaded with the media for fairness in its reportage of the commission’s activities.
“We need to put back smile on the faces of the consumers. There is going to be transparency around tariffs, we are still working out modalities. Two of them (service providers) have concluded plans to engage audit firms to audit their billing systems.
“Another area that came up strongly during our engagement with stakeholders is our digital life, this has become more critical to our ways of doing things, we don’t realise that we go for the latest phone which at the slightest touch, responds and this consumes more data. That’s an area that we also want more awareness.”
He emphasized the importance of transparency in tariff structures and billing systems, with plans in place to enhance consumer awareness on digital consumption habits.
Acknowledging the critical role of consumers in driving the industry forward, Dr. Maida emphasized the need to ensure a positive impact on telecom subscribers to foster industry resilience and growth. He stressed the importance of collaboration across various sectors to enhance operational efficiency and fulfill the commission’s corporate responsibilities.
“I’m dwelling on the consumers because that’s the heart of the matter. If we don’t put smile on the faces of the consumers, then there will be challenge. We have a responsibility to make the industry more resilience. We need to go into the phase of maturity to strengthen the institutions that will support the commission in achieving its corporate responsibility. Cross industry collaboration is an area we are working on,” Maida said.
Addressing concerns over security threats posed by illegal SIM cards, Dr. Maida reassured stakeholders of ongoing collaborations with security agencies to combat criminal activities enabled by such practices. The implementation of linking SIM cards to the National Identity Number (NIN) in 2021 faced challenges due to “value chain compromise,” as noted by the NCC’s director of compliance, monitoring, and enforcement, Efosa Idehen.
In his vision for the future of the industry, Dr. Maida emphasized the NCC’s role in supporting government initiatives for digital infrastructure development, bridging the urban-rural digital divide, and fostering overall industry growth. He called for unity and accountability within the industry, emphasizing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in driving positive change and improvement.
He further said: “This is my approach in terms of how to guide the industry in the next couple of years. We are at the base of all services. We will support government’s digital public infrastructure drive, bridge the rural digital urban divide, and grow the telecom industry.
“My plea is that we are one family, let’s be fair to each other, hold us accountable and give us a chance . You know this is a challenging time. I am not a messiah, but we can do a little to make things better.”
As Dr. Maida continues to steer the NCC towards a consumer-centric approach and industry advancement, his dedication to enhancing telecom services for Nigerians reflects a commitment to excellence and progress in the telecommunications sector.
