Telecoms subscribers in Bayelsa State have returned damning indictment on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to protect the rights of subscribers from alleged extortion and exploitation by mobile telephone service providers.
They bared their mind at the 98th edition of the Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, which was held recently in Yenagoa, the state capital.
More than 2,000 telecoms consumers turned up for the event, which also had representatives of MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9 Mobile in attendance.
Several subscribers, who took turns to speak at the forum, expressed concerns over the operations of the NCC, stressing that they were yet to see tangible results from some of the regulatory activities of the commission.
Among complaints lodged by the subscribers were the need for reduction of tariffs for both local and international calls, increase of storage capacity for contacts in SIM cards, employment of disabled persons, employment of local people and non-expiration of data subscription.
Other issues raised include reduction of time for tracking mobile numbers, use of codes to check balances for data and voice calls, local roaming and activation of GPS services.
Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, a subscriber, particularly complained that the base stations of the mobile telecoms service providers were spilling diesel into the environment and that their generating sets at base stations were also polluting the surroundings with noise.
The consumers, however, applauded the NCC for the forum and urged the commission to make it a regular one.
Representatives of MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9 Mobile answered questions on the issues raised by subscribers while the NCC emphasised the use of the toll free numbers 622 and 2442 for complaints to the commission and stopping unsolicited text messages.
Ismail Adedigba, deputy director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, said that “we must accord consumers their basic rights which include right to be heard, right to be educated, right to choose, right to redress as well as right to safety.”
He said the COP was in response to complaints on unsolicited text messages and calls, failure or refusal to roll over data on expiration of data bundle, automatic renewal of data services on expiration and call masking and refiling.
Adedigba disclosed that in addressing the complaints, NCC developed 2442 DND Short Code, issuance of direction on roll over of data, issuance of direction to service providers to stop automatic data renewal, 622 toll free line and working to stop call masking and refiling.
