Telecom consumers spent $6.6bn in 2016 to access services -NCC alleges
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alleged that consumers of telecoms services in the country spent a colossal $6.6billion in 2016 to access services from the telecommunication companies, up from $5.6billion spent the previous year.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made this revelation while speaking to journalists on Monday in Asaba during the official flag off of NNC’s ‘Year of Consumers.’
He stated that just as consumer’s patronage had remain important, the consumers must not and cannot be taken for granted, adding that NCC recognizes consumers’ importance hence it intends to inform and educate the consumers with the sole intent of protecting and empowering them to make the right decision.
Pro. Danbatta, also explained that the commission, together with the regulator of the financial services sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), prevented the takeover of Etisalat by a consortium of local lenders over an alleged loan of N200billion.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the two regulators to ensure that the alleged N200billion loan default payment issue by Etisalat would be amicably resolved in the interest of the industry, and the telecom’s over 20 million customers and the nation’s investment climate.
He disclosed that though the matter has not been fully resolved, negotiations will continue among all the parties, adding: “let me assure you that there is no cause for alarm regarding the matter, the regulators are on top of the situation and details of the resolution would be made available within next couple of weeks.”
According to him, “the NCC and the CBN have to intervene particularly in a manner that business operations of all the parties involved and in the larger interest of the nation’s economy.”
