By Angeline Mgbele, Senior Correspondent, Abuja and Kingsley I.Ilechukwu, Senior Correspondent, Lagos
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the successful execution of the 2022 Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication (ICTEL) Expo.
The Director of Public Affairs (DPA) at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement to which Cyber Era NG is privy, says this was the focus of the discussion between the two organisations, during a courtesy visit by delegates from LCCI to the Commission in Abuja recently.
Speaking during the visit, which took place at NCC’s Head Office (Annex) Mbora, Abuja, the Director, Trade Promotions, LCCI, Seriki Oyediran, said that the objective of the visitation was to discuss with the Management of NCC toward achieving the objectives of the 8th Edition of the ICTEL Expo focusing on: “Ensuring Efficient Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria.”
Oyediran acknowledged that the participation of NCC at the annual trade fair in previous years had added colour, focus and clarity, and ensured the success of previous events. He, therefore, called on the Commission to partner with the Chamber to enable it to record greater success in the ICTEL 2022 edition.
Responding, Director, Digital Economy at NCC, Dr. Austin Nwaulune, who received the delegation on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, applauded LCCI for its consistency in organising the annual conference.
Nwaulune stated that the theme of this year’s conference aligned with the Commission’s focus on facilitating infrastructural development and deployment to enhance socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Demonstrating the connection between the thematic focus of the conference and NCC mandates and activities, Nwaulune explained that, through the NCC, the Federal Government had established various policies such as the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), which was being vigorously implemented to improve broadband infrastructure across the country.
The Director Digital Economy Department at the Commission, also recalled efforts of the Commission in ensuring that the seven Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) already licensed by the telecom regulator accelerated their infrastructure deployment across the six geo-political zones of the country.
Nwaulune commended the organisers for the calibre of sponsors listed for the expo and asserted that the event would be a hub for stakeholders such as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), InfraCos and international organisations, and offer them the opportunity to glean developments in the country and to deepen their interests in promoting innovation and competition in the industry.
In his comments, the NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, explained that the Commission had evidently adopted an open-door policy and particularly through its consumer-centric initiatives. He also emphasised that the Commission appreciated collaboration with stakeholders whose programmes allowed consumers to interact with the service providers.
“The NCC prioritises the consumers. We therefore see this forthcoming expo as another opportunity for the consumer’s voice to be heard as they interface with service providers. This is based on our regulatory mandate of ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services get value for their money and are treated right as critical stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem,” Idehen stated to reiterate NCC’s commitment to the promotion, protection and defence of the interests of telecom consumers.
