NCC vows to Protect Rights of Telecom Consumers

IZUCHUKWU EPUEKE

The Nigeria Communication Commission, NCC, has described the Telecom Campus Conversation Forum as a consumer-centric initiatives aimed at sensitizing students of tertiary institutions. NCC Head of Consumer Information and Education Unit, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mistura Aruna stated this during the 3rd edition of telecom campus conversation at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 

Aruna said the initiative, which was to sensitise students on their Rights and Obligations as telecom Consumers, is one of measures put in place by NCC to protect and empower consumers. According to her, the introduction of the initiatives is in respect to Consumer Protection, SIM Registration, SIM-NIN linkage, Cybercrimes, and Cyber Security.

On his part, the NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, said that the commission has high regard for Telecom Consumers as they are the king. Idehen noted that telecom Consumers have rights, which the telecommunication operators in the country are expected to respect and also address their genuine complaints.

He listed the rights to include rights to be heard, quality service, complaint process, privacy and safety, adding that the Commission does not hesitate to sanction any operator that violate these consumers’ right. The Consumer Affairs Bureau Director appealed to the students to amplify the voice of the Commission by informing telecom Consumers on their rights and obligations. According to him, they should not fail to call NCC Toll Free Line of 622 in a situation when their concerns are not address.

In his goodwill message, the UNN Vice Chancellor, Charles Igwe, thanked the Commission for sensitizing the students of the university on their rights as telecom Consumers. Igwe, represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate, Romania Ezeokonkwo, however asked NCC to monitor the activities of the operators to avoid short-changing telecommunication consumers in Nigeria.