NCC Inaugurates ICAF for Telecom Consumers

The Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), has stepped up its telecom consumer protection initiatives with the inauguration of an twelve-man Industry Consumer Advisory Forum, (ICAF), headed by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi the director general of the Consumer Protection Council, to review the general consumer code of practice regulations by the Commission as well as facilitate consumer protection, information and educational programmes.
Alhaji Ahmed Joda, chairman of the Commission, who presided over the inauguration ceremony, said the Commission is fully determined to ensure that the interest of telecoms consumers in the country are protected, and urged ICAF to work assiduously to complement various efforts of the commission in this direction.
Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, chief executive officer, NCC, in his keynote address said that ICAF initiative is very much in keeping with the focus of the NCC. “As a regulator, we ensure that the interest of the consumer is at all times protected”. “At the NCC, we have been very active in safeguarding the interests of the consumer, whether  by facilitating investments, ensuring national spread, facilitating rural access, licensing new operators, holding consumer outreach programmes and consumer parliament sessions, ensuring service availability, affordable and quality service,  the consumer is the target beneficiary,” he said.
According to him, whether in facilitating number portability, establishing call centers, providing computers and internet facilities in schools, as well as ensuring that operators deal promptly with consumer queries and requirements, protecting them from unfair practices by service providers developing NCC contact centers and supporting advocacy groups, is all aimed at ensuring that the consumers are better services.
He said ICAF will act in advisory capacity, and will make recommendations to the Commission regarding the interests and concerns of the consumer of ICT products and services, the interests and concerns of physically challenged and the elderly, ensure that consumers are protected from unfair practices and facilitate the review of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007 as well as make recommendations on all issues to the Commission.
He added that the members of the forum are selected based on their expertise and wealth of knowledge in their areas of specialization. He listed the specializations to include consumer advocacy groups, the challenged groups, service provision, specialized user groups, community representation, and the academia among others. Membership of ICAF include Engr. Kashim Alli, the president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Dr. Prosper Ikechukwu Igboeli, president of Nigerian Medical Association, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sir Peter A. Edeoghon, president and chairman of Council of Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr. Chris Nwanoro, National Disabled Empowerment Forum, (Nadef), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (Atcon), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo president of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, (Alton), Dr. Mrs. Felecia Money, president of Consumer Awareness Organization,  and Mrs. Alero Edu, president of Consumer Right Project.
Mrs. Umenyi, chairperson of the Forum, commended the Commission for the foresight in setting up the forum with its kind of diverse representation that will make its recommendations worthwhile. He enjoined the members to be committed to the project while assuring the Commission to deliver on its charter.