Why We Are Reviewing Three Of Our Subsidiary Legislations At This Time- Ag. Head of Legal and Regulatory Services Department of NCC

By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, North

The Ag. Head Legal & Regulatory Services Of the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), Mrs. Chizua Whyte, has shed light on why the Commission is reviewing three(3) of its regulatory instruments.

Welcoming stakeholders at the Public Inquiry On Three (3) Regulatory Instruments held On May 21-22, 2024 at the Conference Hall, NCC Headquarters, Abuja, north central, Nigeria, Mrs. Whyte stated that the exercise was a vital part of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s  mandate to create a dynamic communications sector.

According to her, the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 empowered  the NCC  to develop and amend regulatory instruments, adding stakeholders’ input was crucial in refining these regulations to address the sector’s evolving challenges.

“We will review three key regulatory instruments,”Whyte explains.

“The First is the Telecommunications Networks Interconnect Regulations. The proposed amendments aim to enhance compliance, provide a comprehensive interconnection framework, and improve monitoring systems.

Interconnection fosters service delivery and market cohesion, ensuring operators have fair and non- discriminatory access.

“The Second is the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators.

This framework ensures fairness, transparency, and certainty in disconnection procedures, protecting operators from unjustified disconnections and ensuring contractual obligations are honoured. This review will bolster investor confidence and promote healthy competition.

“The third is the Guidelines for Dispute Resolution. In line with section 73 of the act, effective dispute resolution is essential for resolving issues efficiently and fairly. The updated guidelines aim to streamline the process, save time, reduce costs, and minimize service disruptions, particularly for small claims. This will enhance stakeholder confidence in the resolution process.”

As the communications industry evolved with emerging technologies, stated Whyte, ”our regulatory instruments must adapt swiftly. The Commission’s collaborative efforts with stakeholders have driven significant advancements and will continue to propel the sector forward.

This Public Inquiry underscores our commitment to regulatory excellence and to building a robust communications sector that supports the Nigerian economy. We value your contributions and look forward to shaping a strong, dynamic industry together.”