By Charles Okonji
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated on Thursday in Lagos, the commission’s readiness to reposition the Nigerian Communications Industry through strategic blue print.
This is coming as part of plans to commemorate the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, first 100 days in office following his appointment as the helmsman of the nation’s telecoms regulatory body.
Maida commenced his process of reaching out and engaging key stakeholders on the outlined strategic key-drivers he will use in retooling the telecom industry.
During an interactive session with top Media Executives in Lagos on Thursday where he unveiled the strategic blueprints, he expressed that data was a key driver in any economy.
Maida informed the media executives that he used the last three months for observation, fact findings, and engaging key stakeholders, adding that he was committed to driving a good total customer experience for telecoms consumers in the country.
He explained that the commission would work with the blueprint of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which was unveiled by the Minister, Bosun Tijani.
He stressed that all efforts will be deployed to ensure that the sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) economy, create jobs, accrue more revenue to the government and solicited for the support of the media to accomplish that feat.
He pointed out that under his leadership, the Commission will operate on three major drivers such as collaboration, Data centric administration, compliance and monitoring and digitization, while working with stakeholders which include the operators, government and consumers.
He disclosed that the NCC, under his watch, will focus on key areas, such as collaboration, Data centric administration, compliance and monitoring and digitisation, working closely with the three major stakeholders in the industry namely the Operators, government and the consumer.
He explained that the consumers are the major stakeholders that the NCC would be addressing their needs.
Maida promised to end the era of telecom subscribers carrying multiple phones or having multiple SIM cards by ensuring that the Commission carries out advocacy for the subscribers to make the right choices; ensuring good quality of service; leveraging on data to make sure subscribers use one SIM to achieve the needed quality as well as drive transparency around tariffs, so that subscribers will get maximum satisfaction for their money.
The NCC boss noted that it has become imperative to reposition the sector, to make sure that telecommunications sector licensees will be held more accountable for all their deeds in the sector as well as honour all operators’ agreements.
He disclosed that the Commission is also working on reviewing the standard of operations for the telecom operators to enhance corporate governance and international best practices from the operators.
He stated further that the Commission would also be doing more advocacy with respect to compliance, warning that “Everybody including industry licensees in the value chain shall be held accountable as regulations will come in and there will be consequences.”
He also highlighted that the Commission would be looking at general security as communication provides the backbone for all the industries and within digital economy space the NCC plays a very huge role,
In his welcome address, the Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Reuben Muoka, said the new EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida appreciates the support, impact and benefits of the media in institutional communications, as according to him, the media platforms and resources can provide the dependency upon which to regulate the industry in its diverse audiences for the purpose of achieving enviable heights.
He affirmed that the EVC is desirous of achieving results, working transparently and effectively in regulating the industry.
