PCC Tasks NCC on Unsolicited Advert by Operators

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC)  has called on the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to call mobile network service providers in the country to order as regards unsolicited advertisements, calls and text messages frequently sent to mobile phone users.

The PCC said that complaints of such unsolicited calls and text messages from telecommunications service providers rank among the major complaints it usually receives from members of the public.

Mr. Funsho Olukoga, national commissioner, stated this at a press conference in Lagos.

Olukoga said: “Regarding the mobile phone industry, an urgent intervention by the Nigerian Communication Commission is most desirable to rescue mobile phone users from undue advertisement drive. Most mobile phone users complain about unsolicited calls from network service providers, advertising their products. Some question the propriety of preceding a caller tune with an advertisement when calling a number. Others find the frequency of unsolicited calls as a distraction and oppression.”

Olukoga added that the commission had many times received allegations by the public that certain network service providers allowed some businesses to advertise or display unsavoury materials through their platform.

“We believe that an intervention by the NCC to investigate network service providers and sanction erring ones will go a long way in reducing unacceptable and unfair trade practices on the part of mobile network providers,” he said.

Giving the assessment of the PCC for the year 2014, Olukoga said the commission received a total of 754 complaints from the public, out of which only 347 cases were resolved.

According to him, weak legal backing, among other factors, constrained the intervention of the PCC.

Olukoga stated that effort to amend the Act under which the PCC was established was in progress at the National Assembly. He said that it was his hope that upon the review of the Act, the agency would be able to prosecute erring public organisations.