TheNewsGuru

Tag: Consumer Protection

  • Ogun House of Assembly passes consumer protection bill

    Ogun House of Assembly passes consumer protection bill

    The Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday in Abeokuta passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2024 in a bid to address consumer extortion, disputes and other sharp practices.

    Mr Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu) began the process of the bill’s passage when he presented the report of the Committee on Industry, Trade and Investments during the assembly’s plenary.

    The bill is titled “a bill for a law to establish the Ogun State Consumer Protection Agency, Provide for the Protection of the interest of Consumers, Settlement of Consumer Disputes and for Connected Purposes”.

    Adeleye, who is the House’s Minority Leader, thereafter moved the motion for the report’s adoption, with Babatunde Tella (APC-Abeokuta South) seconding it and other lawmakers supporting it through a voice vote.

    The bill was later read and adopted clause-by-clause before the Committee of the Whole House.

    It was after this a motion for its third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff (APC-Ado Odo/Ota 1), and seconded by Dickson Awolaja (PDP-Remo North).

    The Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Mr Sakiru Adebakin, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

    Responding, the House’s Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), directed that the clean copy of the bill be transmitted to Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

    In another development, the Speaker announced the appointment of three new Deputy Clerks in consonance with the provisions of the House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Law.

    According to Elemide, Deputy Clerk I, Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi, will oversee Planning, Training and Legal Services.

    ”Deputy Clerk II, Mr Temitope Hokon, will be in charge of Legislative Services, Information and Public Service, while Deputy Clerk III, Mr Fatai Ayodeji, is to head Administration, Finance and Supplies,” he said.

  • NCC, NLRC inaugurate committee to strengthen consumer protection

    NCC, NLRC inaugurate committee to strengthen consumer protection

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) on Thursday in Abuja set up a committee to work towards the protection of the interest of telecom consumers against malpractices that may attend mobile lotteries in the country.

    The Committee, which was inaugurated at the NCC Head Office in Abuja, was tasked with the responsibility of articulating measures to address mutual regulatory issues, including the review of revenue-sharing formula between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and lottery operators.

    The NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), Barrister Adeleke Adewolu, who presided at the meeting comprising senior staff of the two agencies, recalled fondly previous engagements between the agencies and stated that the committee was important in order to review and update an NCC-NLRC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed on the 6th of August 2018 but has now expired.

    The ECSM said the Commission is committed to regulatory collaboration and strategic partnerships and has carefully reviewed NLRC’s requests and is convinced that both organisations can conclusively address issues and other concerns that have been identified in the operation of lotteries in the telecom industry.

    “We expect that the Joint Committee of senior members of staff in both organisations will work closely to develop a collaborative framework to progressively improve gaming service delivery for telecoms consumers and further accelerate holistic development in Nigeria’s digital economy,” Adewolu stated.

    In addition, the ECSM reiterated that the Committee is expected to articulate a new MoU to address issues around revenue sharing between MNOs and lottery operators, the need to review and recommend a workable model for addressing the needs of both organisations, and present informed recommendations to deepen regulatory collaboration between the two regulatory agencies.

    “Given the strong professional pedigree of the members of this Joint Committee, I have no doubt that they will meet and even exceed the expectations of the Managements of both the NCC and the NLRC, and I wish you all success in this task,” Adewolu added.

    Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, NLRC, Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director, Legal Services, NLRC, Olayemi Ajayi, expressed her organisation’s commitment to improving revenue generation from the lottery industry while appreciating NCC for being receptive to inter-organisational collaborations.

    Ajayi reiterated the need for renewal of the expired MoU with amendments to accommodate new provisions that will be favourable to stakeholders and fast-track the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

    Ajayi assured that, “The NLRC is working tirelessly to ameliorate its functions and service delivery to stakeholders. Therefore, this renewed collaboration with NCC will help for better and efficient service delivery by both agencies.”

  • NCC launches telecom campus conversation

    NCC launches telecom campus conversation

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched Telecom Campus Conversation as a means to sensitise telecom services consumers who are students.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Telecom Campus Conversation was launched by the NCC on Thursday at the University of Abuja with the aim to expand the scope of its consumer enlightenment programme.

    NCC said the new initiative was targeted at creating awareness for university students on their rights and obligations as telecom consumers.

    NCC further said the new programme was conceptualised as well to sensitise students to several initiatives put in place for the purpose of consumer protection and empowerment.

    According to the Commission, the new initiative was conceptualised in 2019 with the hope that it would come to fruition by 2020 but that due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the conversation could not hold in 2020.

    TNG reports NCC launched the Telecom Campus Conversation with the theme: “Telecom consumer rights awareness: the role of students”.

    Speaking during the launch of the initiative, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Mr Efosa Idehen gave an overview of the initiative, emphasising two key areas.

    Idehen pointed out that the areas, which were consumer affairs bureau mandate and the platforms of consumer education were the various consumer-centric initiatives of the commission.

    He added: “We have several platforms for carrying out consumer education to ensure that consumers are well informed and adopt the use of various mediums to pass the message across to consumers.

    “We have social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and others for consumer enlightenment and complaint management,” he said.

    He listed some of the Commission’s initiatives to include: Emergency Toll-free Number 112; the NCC Consumer Complaint Toll-Free Number 622; and the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Short Code 2442.

    He added that the regulation on forceful subscription and measures put in place to check cases of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are some other initiatives.

    Earlier, the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC, Hafsat Lawal explained that the event would introduce students to all the initiatives of the NCC as regards consumer protection and SIM registration.

    The deputy director added that the students would also be exposed to the importance of SIM-NIN linkage, cyber-security and how to protect themselves while on the Internet, amongst other things.

    “It is our hope that today’s sensitisation will encourage all of you to be more informed, educated and protected as telecom consumers.

    “It is our hope that it will inspire you as students to amplify the voice of the Commission by informing telecom consumers of their rights and obligations.

    “Our presentations today will educate you on all you need to know about the role NCC is playing in telecom consumer protection as well as other consumer-centric initiatives and activities designed for the benefit of consumers,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, appreciated the NCC for choosing the university to launch its maiden edition of Telecoms Campus Conversation in Nigeria.

    The VC was represented by Dr Evans Ashigwu, Head of Department, Electrical and Electronics of the University.

    Also, the President of the Student Union Government, Yusuf Dauda, thanked the Commission for sensitising students to know their rights and obligations as telecom consumers and promised to sensitise other students.

  • NCC restates commitment to telecom consumer protection

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has once again re-emphasized its unflinching commitment to the protection of telecom consumers from unwholesome practices by service providers.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the commission made the commitment at the 45th edition of the consumer town hall meeting in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Thursday, following report that the commission may soon decommission some value-added service (VAS) platforms and services over illegal deductions.

    While delivering the opening remark at the town hall meeting, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chairman, NCC Governing Board, represented by Bashir A. Idris, Head, Government and Legislative Relations, Public Affairs Department stated that the theme, “Using Information and Education As Tools For Consumer Empowerment And Protection” has been carefully chosen

    He said the theme reflect one of the cardinal objectives of the NCC of ensuring consumer empowerment through provision of necessary information and education to consumers.

    “Through empowerment and education, telecom consumers are fortified with necessary tools to be protected from market exploitation; and to make rational and informed decision when making choices of services,” he said.

    NCC’s Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, during his welcome address declared that NCC, “as a Telecom Regulatory Agency is poised to empower telecom consumers with adequate information and education through constant engagement of consumers at various levels across the country.

    Adedigba stressed that “the programme is to enable a tripartite meeting of the Regulators, Operators and Consumers with a view to enlightening telecom consumers and resolve pressing consumer issues with respect to provision of telecom services”.

    He further stated that, “it is through empowerment and education that telecom consumers are fortified with necessary tools to be protected from market exploitation; and to make rational and informed decisions when making choice of services as information is power”.

    Hafsat Lawal, Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau emphasized some of the initiatives put in place by NCC for telecom consumer empowerment such as NCC’S Toll Free Number- 622 and, Do not Disturb – 2442 Code.

    She also urged consumers to report cases of call masking to the commission.

     

  • NCC commences aggressive enforcement of code of corporate governance

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has started an aggressive enforcement of the agency’s codes of corporate governance to address customers’ dissatisfaction.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission made this known in an address at the 80th edition of the Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Danbatta, who was represented by Mr. Sunday Dare, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders, NCC said that the enforcement was necessary to ensure that operators in the industry continued to operate as viable businesses.

    The theme for the 2017 edition of TCP is tagged: “Celebrating the Telecoms Consumer “.

    Danbatta said that this year’s theme was apt as it focused on the continued improvement on telecom operators provide for consumers in the country.

    He said that in order to ensure consumer satisfaction and protection, the commission had initiated SIM card registration, mobile number portability, and broad band policy implementation.

    He said others are development of 2442 and 622 short codes as well as various consumers’ awareness campaigns.

    He said that more emphasis had been placed on the quality of service, protection and empowerment of telecom consumers.

    He said that in view of the role of telecom consumers in the overall achievement of the growth of telecom Industry, the commission had declared 2017 the year of Nigerian telecom consumers.

    “Consumers have continued to spend a significant portion of their disposal income on telecommunication services as it continued to improve quality of life, businesses and social engagement.

    “Let me underscore the fact that if all initiatives, projects, investment and efforts were met with low consumer patronage, the telecommunication revolution will have been an unqualified failure.

    “It is really the investment of the consumer through patronage of services that have encouraged and supported service provision.

    “Thus, there is need to celebrate and recognise the consumer as the boss of the industry and as boss, he pays the piper and as such must dictate the tune,” he said.

    Danbatta noted that the key focus of this declaration were continuous improvement of quality, ubiquitous and affordable services to the consumers and increasing consultative engagement with the consumers.

    He said that other focus include ensuring that services yield improved customers satisfaction by supporting better access to life changing opportunities, career development, quality education and social engagement among others.

    Earlier, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC said the input of TCP had continued to help in the feedback mechanism to meet the mandate of the commission.

    He said that the parliament had reawaken network operators on the consciousness that without the consumers, they would be out of business.

    The Acting Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr Adamu Cifawa, said that the commission tried to ensure that the consumers of services it regulate enjoyed maximum satisfaction to keep the industry growing.

    He therefore called on NCC as a regulatory body of telecommunications to continue to toward ensuring satisfaction of customers.

    The TCP is a forum organised by NCC, which began in 2002 to bring together stakeholders in the telecommunication industry for knowledge sharing, idea generation and discussions to move the industry forward.

     

  • Nigerian Guild of Editors assures NCC amiable media pally

    Nigerian Guild of Editors assures NCC amiable media pally

    The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has assured the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) amiable media pally, stressing that the body is ready to collaborate the telecoms regulatory agency to bring progress to telecoms in Nigeria.

    The President of the NGE, Funke Egbemode, made the assurance at a Special Media Interaction organized by the NCC at the Sheraton Hotel and Tower Ikeja, Lagos state, Nigeria.

    ImageFile: Nigerian Guild of Editors assures NCC amiable media pally
    R-L: Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Publisher, TheNewsGuru; NCC EVC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, NCC EC, Stakeholders Management, Mr. Sunday Dare, and NCC Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo

    The Publisher of TheNewsGuru, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, who represented the NGE president at the event said, “We spread the hands of fellowship to you, and we assure you that in everything that will bring progress to telecoms in Nigeria, we will support you”.

    The NCC had tagged one of its town hall meetings “Information and Education as Catalysts for Consumer protection,” and stressed at the Special Media Interaction that the NGE has a role to play in ensuring that telecoms consumers are better informed.

    Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, in his speech, had called on the Guild of Editors to partner with the Commission for a better informed telecom consumer, saying the media, both print and electronic, are as important as the job NCC is doing.

    Present at the event are a host of NCC executives including Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director Public Affairs; Mr. Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner Stakeholders Management; and Mrs. Funlola Akinyode, Director Licensing and Authorization.

    Also present at the event are a host of media chiefs including the Group Managing Editor of TheNewsGuru, Mr. Jewell Dafinone.