Connect with us

Uncategorized

When Two Elephants Fight over Telecom Regulation

Published

on

Kindly share this post

 

 

The environment for compliance in Nigeria’s ICT industry can best be described as a tempest—a stormy outpouring of legislation and regulations requiring that companies protect infrastructure, manage risk, improve controls, guard against threats, and safeguard information.

 

 

The coherence of all of these measures is questionable.

 

 

Many people are aware of the crisis between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) over the issue of who ought to police and regulate erection of telecommunications masts in the telecommunications sector.

 

 

The precursor of the conflict was the decommissioning by NESREA of a telecommunications mast belonging to Globacom for allegedly violating the country‘s environmental regulations.

 

 

Since then, the two government agencies have been arguing over the rights to police and regulate erection of telecommunications masts.

 

 

But it seems the laws of the land inadvertently created loopholes and ambiguity in the powers to the two federal government agencies to regulate the same environment but from a different pedestal.

 

 

For instance, the powers of the Nigerian Communications Commissions is derived from Section 3 of the Nigerian Communications Acts (NCA) of 2003 which makes it independent national regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria with responsibility for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

 

 

Elsewhere, the NESREA Act of 2007 charged the agency with the responsibility of enforcing all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations in Nigeria.

 

 

 It also has the responsibility to enforce compliance with provisions of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties on the environment.

 

 

Because the picture and scope of their regulatory powers are clouded indistinctness, there are frequent clashes.

 

 

The latest is over sitting of telecoms masts within residential areas in Abuja.

 

 

NCC in attempt to exercise its powers unsealed a base station belonging to MTN Nigeria earlier shut by NESREA.

 

 

But later in the day, NESREA went back to the site and resealed the base station.

 

 

NESREA said the MTN base station fall short of its 10 meter-away -from -residential building standard. The base station in question is said to be 5.6 meters away from the closest building in the area.

 

 

NCC said NESREA is overstepping its bounds by sealing base stations which conform to the 5 metre-away from residential building standard it has set for the industry.

 

 

Now if the argument is on standard, are there standards? Which agency is better placed to determine standards in the telecom industry?

 

We believe is NCC is in a better place determine the standard in telecom. NESREA should focus on environmental laws, guidelines and policies.

 

 

Either ways, the discord is unhealthy for the only thriving sector of Nigeria’s economy hobbled by years of mismanagement and neglect.

 

 

Lawyers and indeed the federal government must step up and draw clear boundaries between the two agencies.

 

 

It is also high time the federal government shut down some of its duplicating agencies that are busy doing nothing.

 

 

Telecom investments, quality of service and indeed Nigerians are suffering as the agencies bicker.

 

 

This renders true, the old saying, that when two elephants fight it is the grass which suffers.

 

 

 It refers to the distress experienced by a feeble or helpless industry when two mighty government agencies engage in warfare.

 

 

 The two elephants herein are the government and the government and the feeble being the citizens.

 

 

 

 

 


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Uncategorized

Bolt Hosts Second Edition of ‘Bolt Driver’s Football League’ to Foster Unity and Inclusion

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Bolt, a leading ride-hailing platform, continues to strengthen its bond with driver-partners by hosting the second edition of its ‘Bolt Driver’s Football League’ in Lagos on Wednesday.

The second edition tournament, themed “Fostering Unity and Inclusion”, aimed to enhance the relationship between Bolt and its driver-partners. The event underscored the platform’s commitment to the well-being of its drivers, recognising the essential role they play in the ride-hailing ecosystem.

Organised in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, OneHealth by AXA, Oraimo, and Mycovergenius, the event was a resounding success.

Bolt driver-partners from various locations across Lagos participated enthusiastically in the mini football tournament. The event featured knockout matches between four teams formed by the drivers, showcasing their sporting skills in a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition.

In addition to the football matches, the event offered a safe and enjoyable playground for the children and families of the drivers. They spent the Democracy Day holiday engaged in games, activities, and entertainment, making the event a memorable occasion for all attendees.

Giving the opening remarks, the Director of Public Transport and Commuter Services (PTCS), Engr. Olusoji Adebayo said, “I would like to thank Bolt for organising this brilliant initiative.

“It is indeed an opportunity for Bolt drivers to meet and relate with transport regulators in an atmosphere that encourages cohesion and exchange of ideas, challenges and solutions that is peculiar to Bolt drivers in Lagos State.

“I hereby express my sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Bolt team for organising this event which is important to portray and ensure an attitude of excellence and professionalism among the e-hailing operators in Lagos State.”

Speaking at the event, Yahaya Mohammed, Bolt’s Country Manager said, “We believe in fostering a strong sense of community and building meaningful relationships with our drivers. Through initiatives like this, we are not just a ride-hailing platform; we are a supportive and vibrant community that values the contributions of our drivers.

“Together, we are driving towards a future of excellence in service and driver empowerment. I am thrilled to witness the incredible comradeship and passion displayed by our drivers today. This event exemplifies Bolt’s unwavering commitment to driver engagement and satisfaction”

Weyinmi Aghadiuno, Acting Head of Regulatory & Policy Africa at Bolt, expressed enthusiasm about the event, saying, “We are thrilled to host this novelty football competition as a way to bring our driver community together in a spirit of unity and inclusion.

“Our drivers are the backbone of our service, and this event is our way of showing appreciation for their hard work and dedication. By creating opportunities for our drivers and their families to connect and engage in a fun, relaxed setting, we aim to strengthen the bonds within our community and celebrate the diversity that makes us stronger.”

The event concluded with the presentation of medals and trophies to the top three teams, along with outstanding prizes for participants. The winning team received a cash prize of N500,000 plus an additional N200,000 from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.

The runner-up team was awarded N350,000 plus an additional N150,000 from Oraimo, while the third-place team received N250,000. In total, the cash prizes amounted to 1.3 million naira. Additionally, exciting prizes were won by female drivers and other attendees during the raffle draw.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

UEFA EURO 2024: PalmPay Partners iLOT, BetWay, BetCorrect, AccessBet and BetKing, Unveils Bet and Win Big Promo

Published

on

Kindly share this post

This UEFA EURO ‘24 football season, leading fintech platform, PalmPay, brings loads of excitement for its users in partnership with iLOT, BetWay, BetCorrect, AccessBet and BetKing to unveil the Bet and Win Big promo.

From June 14th to July 15th, 2024, users can deposit in their betting wallets and stand a chance to win an iPhone 15 Pro and share in millions of cash prizes.

How to Play and Win

  1. Download the PalmPay App: If you haven’t already, download the PalmPay app from your app store.
  2. Deposit and Win Draws: Deposit a minimum of N2,000 to get a 1 draw chance. You can earn up to 5 draw chances in total. The more draw chances mean a higher probability of winning the coveted iPhone 15 Pro.
  3. Accumulate and Share Cash Prizes: Make accumulated deposits of N500,000 or more over the campaign period. Users with total deposits of N500,000 and above will share millions in cash prizes.

The bigger your accumulated deposits, the bigger your share of the cash prizes..

For more information and updates about the promo, follow PalmPay follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook for more information.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Ultimate Brand Faceoff as CVA 2024 Voting Closes 30th June

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Consumers show their loyalty for their preferred Brands in the ongoing voting for brands based on market experiences that is scheduled to close on 30th September 2024. In over 40 categories listed based on consumers nomination, Brands are contending for the top spots based on consumer preference.

The ongoing voting process is transparent and can be seen by anyone as the data is available on the consumer value awards website. In the telecommunication category (MNOS), MTN takes the Top spot having 46% of consumers vote in the category, Spectranet leads the Internet Service Provider Category with 80% of votes.

In the Table Water Category CWay overtakes Eva water who was the leading brand in the last month with Cway now having 37% of the vote in the category. This shows how competitive the voting is.

Some other brands have also moved up to be in the top spot in their categories, brands like fearless with 55% of vote in the Energy Drink category, Reload Multivitamin with 64% of vote in Multivitamin Infant category, cowbell with 55% vote in the Milk Skimmed Powdered category among others.

Akonte Ekine, Chief Executive Officer BrandXchange and Convener Consumers Value awards said the consumers are validating brand promises and it is a reward for promise kept hence the badge of honour from the Consumers which shows brand appreciation and a call to brand to wake up to the challenges of the economy and innovate to attend to the rising cost of living.

He commended the consumers for participating in the vote and call on more consumers to vote for brands as the closing date of 30th June is fast drawing near.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending