The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has declared that the on-going National Identity Number, NIN, registration will provide the country the opportunity for a credible citizen database.
The Commission stated this during the NCC Special Day held on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at the 32nd Enugu International Trade Fair, organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).
Addressing a large audience of telecom consumers the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, said events of that nature provide the opportunity for NCC, as a telecom regulator, to interact with consumers and attend to their service-related concerns.
He took the opportunity of this year’s edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair to enlighten telecom consumers on their rights and privileges within the telecommunications sector.
In attendance at the NCC Special Day were the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Consumer Affairs, Mr. Efosa Idehen, Zonal Controller, NCC Enugu Zonal Office, Mr. Ogbonnaya Ugama, executive members of ECCIMA, including the EVC, Represented by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde.
Danbatta, who spoke around the theme of the Fair: “Promoting New Technologies, Business Ideas and Strategies for Rapid Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria,” highlighted some of the regulatory initiatives emplaced by the Commission for protecting, informing and educating the consumers.
‘These initiatives include the NCC Emergency Toll-free Number 112; the NCC Consumer Complaint Toll-Free Number 622; the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Short Code 2442, the Regulation on Forceful Subscription and measures put in place to check cases of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards,’ he said.
Danbatta emphasised the importance of the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN)-SIM data linkage exercise, ‘in order to ensure a credible citizen database for improved national security.’
He stressed the need for consumers to be cybersecurity-conscious while online and to always ensure efficient management of e-waste for a safer environment, noting that this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), which was observed on March 15, 2021 focused on ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’ in line with the e-Waste Regulation being pursued by the Commission.
Danbatta praised the efforts of the ECCIMA at sustaining the Fair over the years, pointing out that the Enugu International Trade Fair remains the largest and most important business event in the South-East of the country.
‘The Fair is pivotal to bolstering the economic and industrial transformation of the region in view of its enormous business potential,’ Danbatta said.
In attendance during the NCC Day at the Fair, were Executive members of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the Chamber, Sir Emeka Nwandu, who was represented by the 1st Deputy President, Barrister Jasper Nduagwuike extolled the role of the Chamber in the facilitation and promotion of robust exchange of business engagements in the South-East region of the country over the years through various initiatives, such as the Trade Fair.
During an interactive executive session with the ECCIMA executives at the Commission’s pavilion, the Director, Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, and the Director, Consumer Affairs, Mr. Efosa Idehen, fielded questions ranging from consumer complaints management, the recent USSD policy, NIN-SIM linkage exercise and other industry related issues.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK