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50 Hearty Cheers to Telecom Consumer Parliament

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It seems like yesterday when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) begun the Telecom Consumer Parliament, Telecom, an alternative dispute resolution mechanism (ADR).
Like in all the previous editions, the 50th sitting of the Parliament in Abuja brought together the regulator, major telecoms operators in the country, consumers and consumers’ rights groups under one roof to chart a progressive course for the industry.
Issues pertaining, to Quality of Service, Consumer Rights Protection, Environmental Impact Assessment, Interconnection, Tariffs and Universal Service Provision were discussed at the meeting.
The 50th sitting is a toast to the Parliament which for the  first time, consumers of telecommunications services and the providers agree that the alternative dispute resolution system set up in August 2003 by the NCC has worked.
Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, NCC said that the Commission has put in place special structures to ensure that the needs and desires of the consumer are taken care of.
“For us in the Commission, the consumer is the main object, the subject and the reason for our being; hence the place of the Consumer as the king is sacrosanct” he said
He also spared words for the operators which he said belong to a class of stakeholders in the business of telecom regulation.
He said that “Apart from obtaining their operational licenses, with certain obligations attached to them, the operators also expect certain obligations from government and the regulator. They expect a non partial regulator to protect their huge investments. They want the Commission to ensure that no other entity interferes with their network resources such as frequency spectrum or base stations”
In the Beginning
Many Nigerians believe that the great telecom revolution in Nigeria is the second independence for Nigeria, considering the ample opportunities it offers and the ability it offers for stress- free communication.
But memories are sometimes short and failing. So some Nigerians are quick to forget the dark years of telecommunications in the country characterized by poor services, long waiting period to get a phone line and general decay in infrastructure.
Today, cell phones ring in almost every pocket. Ownership cut across every age, class and boundaries, unlike the past when Nigerians were told phones were not for the poor.
And to attest to the burgeoning revolution, the world stood still and applauded Nigeria at the just ended Mobile World Congress (GSMA) held in Barcelona.
The revolution comes with its challenges, especially with the fragile relationship between consumers and the service providers.
Some of the issues which often get complained of by telecom consumers in Nigeria includes, false billing, arbitrary disconnection of service, poor service delivery, drop calls, non-chalant attitude towards genuine complaints, supply and installation of substandard equipment and devices, deceptive advertisement, credit depletion, inability to recharge, inability to check credit balance, network failure, sending/charging for multiple text massages in place of a single one
The problems are actually caused by power supply problems, network planning, system inadequacies, charging policy.
The increase in such complaints by the subscribers led to the intervention by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to create a parliament that brings together, stakeholders with the aim of strategising for better services.
The forum is called NCC Telecom Consumer Parliament. It stands on the tripod of the regulator, operators and consumers.
The Parliament
The parliament is the initiative of the Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) of Nigerian Communications Commission, established in September 2001, to inform, educate and protect the consumers of telecommunications services in Nigeria.
The Consumer Protection & Advocacy is one of the units of the CAB that is charged with the responsibility of responding to consumer complaints and enquiries.
It has worked and this is the general consensus of critics, consumers and operators.
It has been variously described, but it remains the only frontier that has brought the regulator, operators and subscribers on a round table.
The Parliament serves as a platform for consumer education, an alternative, inexpensive and quick dispute resolution.
It is serves an interactive forum, bridging the gap between operators and consumers in the industry, thereby building confidence and creating mutually beneficial relationship.
The ADR creates a forum for consumers to air their views and suggestions on how to make the industry forward.
It provides reliable feedback to the regulator for effective communications while educating telecom consumer on their rights and obligations for the overall healthy development of the industry.
More importantly it has institutionalized public accountability of both the operators and the regulator while eliciting stakeholders’ views, reactions, and inputs to policies and programmes.
It has also eradicated the perception of the consumers as the underdogs as was the case in the era of monopoly.
How It Works
The Parliament is held monthly at different geographical zones of Nigeria and every Nigerian is free to attend and contribute.
A session of the Parliament begins when the presenter introduces the representatives of the companies, NCC commissioners and management as well as legislators in attendance.
Then the EVC of the NCC is invited to make the opening remarks or give industry report, and after that the presenter spells out the rules of the proceedings including to accord courtesy to one another  and that questions and answers be brief, clear and straight to the point.
During the question and answer time, five to 10 questions are taken and representatives of the concerned companies are invited to respond to queries/comments concerning them.
Where the responses provided the EVC intervenes.
At the end of some rounds of questions, the EVC is invited to respond to questions directed at the commission, signaling the end of the session.
The proceedings are recorded in both video and audio. The video is for broadcast in the national television station and in at least one other major TV station.
A report of the session is also prepared by the NCC and lists of all complaints that were brought before the commission are published in the newspapers every year for public accountability.
Achievements
It is easy to lose count of the achievements but a few stands out.
The Parliament was instrumental in bringing down the prices of SIM packs, cutting tarrifs, prices of recharges, extension of validity periojd.
It has also saved operators, consumers, and the regulator the costs, time and resources that would have otherwise gone into lengthy litigations.
The Parliament has presented Nigeria as people with ordered and civilized ways of handling issues. 
Thumbs Up
The novel regulatory initiative has earned Nigeria, commendations from International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and ICT professionals and groups across the globe.
ITU is reportedly studying the Nigerian model and hope to replicate it in many countries.
At home, many believe that subscribers are getting the ease with the Consumer Parliament.
Lovithe Eze, a call center operator at Wuse Zone 6, Abuja said that  "I have never attended the consumer parliament because I don’t have the time, but from what I have been watching on Television, the forum is important and it assists in telling the operators our problems"
“ I am very sure the consumer parliament has created challenges for operators, and we are seeing the results", said Husaini James, student, 23, who believes that the consumer parliament is a good interaction and should be encouraged.
According to him, sometimes, if you have a problem, even if you call a customer care centre, your problem is not attended to, but in the consumer parliament it is live and direct. "Several times they have no answer to give when customers quiz them at the parliament", he said.
Adeolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (Natcoms), said the NCC has achieved a lot through the monthly event, adding that a common achievement is the printing and selling of lower or cheaper denominations of recharge cards.
Mr Ogugua Chioke, chairman, GSM Consultative Forum, said the forum is unique and gives opportunities for both the operators and the consumers to interact. According to him, NCC deserves commendation on such excellent initiative and such parliament should be encouraged not only in the telecom sector but in the other sectors. "


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Treepz Doubles Down on Corporate Mobility in Africa with Launch of a New Website

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Treepz, Africa’s leading corporate mobility startup, has expanded its corporate mobility and employee transportation services across the continent with a fresh new look for its website.

 

The company’s new website boasts a sleek, user-friendly interface with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities. From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand. “Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

  • Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
  • 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
  • Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
  • Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
  • Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa. Since its launch in 2019, the company has provided employee transit for top firms like Tekexperts, Wakanow, Somasource, and Brighter Monday across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. This has resulted in the transportation of about 5 million passengers since then.

With this digital reinvention, Treepz doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions. The company welcomes businesses seeking smarter ways to move their people to explore the new website www.treepz.com.


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Nigerian Business Leaders Partner Google for Strategic Advantage, Seeks Competitive Edge in Privacy-First Era

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Leading companies from Nigeria joined Google West Africa at a roundtable to discuss the shift towards privacy-first marketing as third-party cookies are phased out. The forum brought together leaders from FairMoney, Konga, Mondelez, Stanbic IBTC, and Zenith Bank, highlighting a collective commitment to redefining consumer engagement in the digital age.

Businesses recognize that building consumer trust is essential in a world that increasingly values privacy. In this new era, adapting marketing strategies to be more privacy-focused is not just a necessity but a strategic move towards building sustainable customer relations. This transition challenges businesses to innovate while maintaining transparency and respect for consumer data privacy, turning potential constraints into avenues for deeper consumer engagement.

“Customer trust is the new currency,” noted Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google. “Consumers are demanding more control over their data, and the savviest businesses are seeing this shift as an opportunity. This is about reimagining how we engage with technology and data, ensuring that innovation and privacy go hand-in-hand.”

The discussions emphasised this point, highlighting the competitive advantage of adopting privacy-first strategies. Google showcased innovative solutions like Google Tag and Enhanced Conversions. These tools demonstrate a commitment to both high performance and privacy standards. Success stories illustrated how other businesses have successfully navigated this shift, offering valuable insights.

“We stand at a crucial juncture,” remarked Oluwadamilare Akinwunmi, Chief Data & AI Officer at Interswitch. “The winners of tomorrow will be those enterprises that strike a balance between innovative, data-driven marketing and a profound commitment to data protection and privacy-first practices. The essential dialogues we engage in, and the subsequent actions we take, set us on the path to achieve precisely this”

The roundtable underscores a pivotal shift towards privacy-first strategies in Nigeria’s digital marketing sphere, emphasising the critical role of collaboration and innovation in this transition. It marks a collective stride towards a future where consumer trust and data privacy form the cornerstone of business growth and competitive advantage.

“We are committed to empowering Nigerian brands in building a privacy-forward future. By harnessing AI and privacy-centric technologies, we aim to empower our partners to thrive amidst these changes,” stated Felicia Otolorin, Senior Industry Lead, West Africa, Google.


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MTN Nigeria, PAU Open Applications for 3rd Edition of MTN Media Innovation Programme

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the School of Media & Communications, Pan-Atlantic University have announced call for applications from qualified media practitioners to participate in the 3rd edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-3), which will commence on May 20, 2024, at the Main Campus of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. 

MTN Nigeria in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, launched the Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP) in 2022 to enable media practitioners gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape.

The six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas, is open to media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms. The programme is also open to social media content creators.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said: “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are enabled with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits the society.

“Our commitment is to continue to empower media practitioners, regardless of platforms, to be able to innovate and create technological-driven solutions to our world. This is what the MTN Media Innovation Programme seeks to accomplish.”

On his part, the Dean School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, stated that the programme brings into play the wide experience that the School has in the training of media practitioners.

In our various programmes targeted at journalists, we at the School of Media and Communication have always laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of creativity, ethics and professionalism.

“The Media Innovation Programme is one more opportunity to drive home these values but with a new emphasis on innovation.

“Journalism remains as important as ever to the society, and it is driven by the same values, but journalists require a retooling to meet the technological changes and challenges of today.

“This is the role that the Media Innovation Programme aims to play, and we are quite happy to be able to partner with MTN to achieve this goal.”

At the end of the training, the 20 successful applicants will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort. The Fellows would be coached on Nigeria’s technology sector, the relationship between media and technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice.

Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from PAU’s erudite faculty.

Interested journalists, bloggers and content creators can apply for the Fellowship at https://smc.edu.ng/mtnmip

Applications open on Friday March 23 and close Wednesday April 10, 2024.


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