CPC launches compendium of subscribers’ rights against Poor telecoms services.

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 the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson

From Benjamin a ameh, lagos

In other to improving consumer education and protecting the rights of subscribers from certain exploitative activities of some telecommunications’ operators across the country, the Consumer Protection Council has launched a compendium of the rights of telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who launched the compendium in Abuja on Monday at the Consumer Roundtable on Phone Rights put together by the CPC, warned operators to play by the rules in line with CPC’s crusade, saying, “The CPC is an agency that can bark and bite.”

Johnson said, there was a need for the NCC to strengthen its collaboration with the CPC to address subscribers’ complaints bordering on poor telecoms service delivery.

Also speaking at the event, the Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki said, “Like most interventions and innovations that have such an immense bearing on the general populace, abuses are prevalent.  Such abuses remain unabated if the consumers of these products or services know little or nothing about their rights in this regard. On the other hand, the conglomerates that provide these products or services benefit from the apathy of the uninformed consumers.

“The Nigerian consumers of telecoms services have been unable to assert their rights due largely to ignorance of these rights and where to complain, therefore, in celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day, with the theme: ‘Fix Our Phone Rights’, the CPC believes that the way forward is to codify the rights of telecommunications subscribers so that they can access, read and understand these rights.”

Atoki added, “These rights come under segments such as poor network, unsolicited services, unlawful deductions/non-transparent billing, exploitative automated services, unauthorized SIM swaps/line disconnection, poor internet services and poor customer service.

According to the ministry of information’ site revealed that the Compendium of the Rights of Telecoms Subscribers in Nigeria was developed by the CPC and is being launched as part of the commemoration of the World Consumer Rights Day. The consumer can take the compendium, which is very simple and concise, to the relevant operators and say this is my right. The initiative is one step for us in our advocacy platform for public enlightenment in Nigeria.

The CPC DG stressed that the agency would partner regulatory agencies and telecommunications operators “to ensure that consumers get value for their money.”

“In everything, collaboration brings out the best result.  To the extent that the consumer right is put at the forefront, we will collaborate with the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission and the operators.  The NCC has its powers while we have ours.  There may be some overlapping functions, but we will continue to insist that the consumer is the king and they must get value for their money”, she said.

In his welcome address, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, commended the CPC for its renewed efforts towards protecting consumers’ rights. “I want to commend the efforts of the new leadership of the CPC, led by Mrs. Dupe Atoki, for its renewed tenacity at ensuring that the rights of Nigerian consumers are respected in all ramifications”, Ortom said.

On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga, said that owing to the barrage of consumers’ complaints against telecoms operators, there was the need for severe sanctions against operators in order to restore consumers’ confidence in the sector.

“The regulatory agencies should call the telecommunications operators to order.  They should sanction them if there is the need to do so.  I believe that there is need to sanction them. However, the Federal Government should look into CPC’s budget because agencies that provide such services like CPC should be provided with adequate funding.   If you look at CPC’s budget for this year, it is very ridiculous”, Ogbaga said.


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