BENIN (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tasked Telecom Service Providers on the need to provide their customers accurate and timely information about their services to enable them make informed decisions.
NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Abdullahi Maikano, who made this call during the 77th Consumer Outreach Programme in Benin Edo State, Thursday, said it is the responsibility of the service providers to communicate information to consumers in a plain and simple language; ensure that information provided to consumers is relevant, current accurate and timely.
Maikano, who was represented by the deputy director, Dr Joseph Atoyebi, also said that telecom service providers must ensure that consumers could reliably and easily have access to information that can assist them in making an informed choice, while giving them the choice of receiving information in a language they understand.
According to him, this programme was established by the NCC to bring together consumers, service providers and the regulators on one platform to address telecom consumer related issues.
It also seeks to educate telecom consumers and other stakeholders on contemporary issues generating interest in the industry.
“At the NCC, the telecom consumers are the target beneficiary of all our activities and enjoy primary focus in terms of ensuring that they get good quality of service, value for money spent, timely and fair redress of complaints and protection from unwholesome practices of some service providers.”
According to him, the theme for discussion “Information &Education as a catalyst for Consumer Protection” was carefully chosen to reflect one of the cardinal objectives of the NCC which is ensuring the protection of telecom consumers from market exploitation and empowering them to make rational and informed decision when their choices of services.
“Consumer education is identified by the commission as one of the most cost effective mechanism that provides and guarantees consumer protection. Besides, serving as a proactive way of protecting consumers from making wrong choices, it also serves as preventive measures that protect consumers from being exploited and against fraud,” he stated.
Maikano said that to ensure that consumer is well protected, educated and informed, the NCC has developed series of initiatives with the main goal of empowering consumers with appropriate information that will ensure that their rights are not only protected but that their choices provide them with value for money.
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