The 30th edition of the Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) held by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Numan, Adamawa State was agog with consumers from different walks of life.
The event is one of the initiatives of the Commission to give the telecom consumers in urban areas the opportunity to interact with the regulator and Network operators to discuss, and resolve some consumer related issues and ensure they have value for their money through effective service delivery.
The commission used the forum to educate telecom consumers and other stakeholders on contemporary issues trending in the industry as well as used it as a feedback mechanism for the Commission to make regulatory intervention for the benefit of the consumers, service providers and the industry as a whole.
In his opening remarks the Director Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Mr. Abdulahi Maikano who was represented by the Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Alh. Ismaila Adedigba in his word said, ”At the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Telecom Consumers are the target beneficiary of all our activities which make them enjoy primary focus in terms of that they get good quality of service, value for the money spent, timely and fair redress of complaints and protection from unwholesome practices of some service providers”.
The theme for the edition is “Information and Education as a Catalyst for Consumer Protection”.
It will be recalled that in March this year, the Commission declared 2017 the year of consumers thereby giving the consumer right to be heard, right to be educated, right to redress as well as right to safety.
He said in realization of above basic rights of the telecom consumers, the commission as a telecom regulatory agency develops various programmes to empower consumers. “One of such is the CTM”, he said.
He added: “The programme is to enable tripartite meeting between regulators, operators and consumers to resolve pressing consumer’s issues as they relate to provision of telecom services.
“It is my belief that consumers will seize this opportunity to participate freely and orderly. I will also like to inform you that the NCC has declared 2017 as a Year of Telecom Consumer. The flag-off took place on the 15th of March, 2017 while the campaign has started all over the country. The campaign is to deepen awareness on the NCC 622 toll free line to lodge complaints to NCC and the 2442 short code to stop unsolicited messages with great emphasis on QOS improvement. Apart from 622, the various other mediums where consumers can make enquiries or lay complaints to NCC are: The Consumer Affairs Bureau Twitter Account(@consumersncc), The Consumer Web Portal (www.consumer.ncc.gov.ng)…
“It is our hope that consumers will take advantage of these numerous channels to reach NCC as and when required”
