Nigerian CommunicationWeek

NCC, Operators Collaborate on CG

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all network operators in the telecommunications sector to submit their plans to assist physically challenge group on their network.

Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, NCC, gave the directive at the consultative meeting between operators and the commission on how to assist the challenged group in Lagos.

Ndukwe who was presented by Mr. Steve Adzenge, director of Legal services at the commission gave operators 30 days to make their submission which should include the policy of each network on implementation of modalities on assistance to the disabled and challenged group, and time frame to implement the modalities. He noted that such policy should be guided by international best practice on the issue of assistance to disabled and challenged group.

He expressed disappointment that in spite of legal and regulatory frame as enshrine in communications Act of 2003 on ensuring that challenged group are carted for nothing has been done by operators to that effect.

This according to him formed the commission’s initiative on how to assist the group and old people, where they held fact finding meeting with the group to ascertain what operators have done for them as well as what they expect operators to do for them.

Mrs. Lola Emeakpore, director, consumer affairs, NCC, who outlined the outcome of the commission’s fact findings with the group, stated that the group constitutes 25 percent of the society and that there is an urgent need for attention. She said that the way telecommunications services are provided today, this group is not being addressed.

She they need to be provided with supportive programme and technology such as billing system that enable them to receive their account balance via short message service as well as voice/audio prompt facility for the same.

They lamented none inclusion in most promotions operators organizes as well as lack of support in corporate social responsibility programme of operators, and requested for textual tags in the website of operators that will help them use their websites.

Mr. Ayo Oke, special assistant to EVC at NCC, advice operators to see designing programmes for the challenged group as a marketing strategy and not as doing them a favour, as carting for the group is part of universal access which entails that nobody should be left behind in telecommunications coverage.

Mr. Adebola Olajide, who represented Globacom called for a clear cut policy by the NCC on what is expected of operators to implement in order to assist the challenged group.

 

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