By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, North
Encouraged by the successes in implementing initiatives to realize the theme for 2022 World Consumer Day(WCD)Fair Digital Finance, telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) has said it is poised to realize the theme for this year, which is “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transition”.
This piece of cheery news is contained in the remarks delivered by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at NCC(EVC/CEO) at NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta at the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day Held at the NCC Annex Head Office, Mbora, Abuja, North Central, on Wednesday March 15, 2023.
According to Prof. Danbatta, the theme was geared towards delivering a smooth transition for consumers experiencing a high cost of living as the globe responded to the ongoing energy crisis caused by supply and climate issues saying this theme was very relevant given Nigeria’s recent licensing of the 5G spectrum networks, which consumed twice as much energy as 4Gs, although they were more energy-efficient per gigabyte.
The NCC boss stated that as part of activities marking 2023 World Consumer Rights Day, the Commission was launching its Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk, in the Arrival Lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja. The TELCARE Desk in Abuja, Danbatta said, would be a pilot as his Commission mulled setting up the desk at strategic locations across the country to provide information to telecom consumers.
As per Danbatta, the TELCARE Desk would serve as an additional platform to receive and facilitate the resolution of consumer complaints; provide a means through which consumers and citizens could make inquiries on consumer issues; provide a platform for advocacy on any thematic consumer issue or concerns; to further enhance awareness of the Commission’s activities.
While concluding his address, Nigeria’s chief telecoms regulator assured stakeholders of the Commission Commission, that as the global community celebrated WCRD 2023, the Commission was affirming that the theme of this year would form an integral part of the Commission’s regulatory mandate.
“We are committed to responsibly using the world’s resources, including protecting the environment by supporting the industry to transition to renewable energy,” he said.
