NCC @ COP Urges Subscribers to Rise against Exploitation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Thursday urged telecom consumers in the country to take advantage of the consumer outreach programme provided by the Commission in order for service providers not to take advantage of them.

The Commission also pledged its resolve to continue to ensure that telecom consumers in the country are protected from exploitation.

Abdullahi Maikano, director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC spoke at the 82nd edition of its consumer outreach programme (COP) held in Gombe yesterday

He said commitment to this resolution informed the topic of the meeting: “Information and education as a catalyst for consumer protection”.

He said the Commission was out to ensure that telecom consumer were well protected, informed and educated hence it developed initiatives of empowering consumers with the appropriate information that will guarantee them value for their money.

He said the initiatives include organising outreach programme across the country, disseminating consumer education via factsheets, disseminating information via consumer web portal (www.consumer.nce.gov.ng) and interaction via social platform.

Other initiatives include responding to enquiries via NCC Call Centres on a toll free number – 622 and participating on radio programmes that educate customers on their rights and privileges.

NCC’s Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ismail Adedigba consumers must be accorded their right to be heard, right to be educated, right to redress and right to safety among others.

He said the meeting is therefore a tripartite meeting between regulators, operators and consumers to resolve pressing consumers’ issues as it relates to provision of telecom services.