NCC engage telecom consumers in Ogun rural community

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has engaged telecom consumers at its 45th Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) held at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.

At the town hall meeting on Thursday, some telecom users complained about bombardment with unsolicited text messages and calls as well as activation of data and Value Added Services (VAS) without their prior consent.

While some consumers decried failure of service providers to roll over unused data at the expiration of their data bundle; some lamented the activities of cyber criminals. They however appealed to service providers to device means of tracking down cyber criminals for prosecution.

In his welcome address, the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, said that the commission has developed 2442 DND short code to solve the problem of unsolicited text messages and calls.

He further added that the commission has issued directives to service providers on data roll-over which now enables consumers to roll over unused data for a period of time ranging from one to seven days.

On the issue of call masking, he noted that the commission has deployed appropriate technology as a strategy to combat it.

Also speaking at the meeting, the chairman of NCC, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, described the meeting as an initiative that brings together telecom consumers in the rural areas with the network operators and the regulator (NCC) to discuss, proffer solutions to consumer-related issues as well as ensure that consumers have value for money through effective service delivery.

Durojaiye, who was represented by the Deputy Director and Head, Government and Legislative Relations Unit, Public Affairs Department, Mr. Bashir A. Idris, said the forum seeks to educate telecom consumers and other stakeholders on contemporary issues generating interest in the industry and also serves as a feedback mechanism for the commission in making regulatory interventions for the benefit of the consumers and the Service Providers as well as the industry as a whole.

According to him, the theme of the meeting: “Using Information and Education as Tools for Consumer Empowerment and Protection” was carefully chosen to reflect one of the cardinal objectives of NCC of ensuring consumer empowerment through provision of necessary information and education to consumers.

“Through empowerment and education, telecom consumers are fortified with necessary tools to be protected from market exploitation; and to make rational and informed decision when making choices of services.

“Consumer information is identified as one of the most cost-effective mechanisms that guarantees consumer empowerment and education. It also serves as a preventive measure that protects consumers from being exploited and against fraud,” he stressed.