TheCable

In case you missed it (ICYMI), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says the protection of consumers is an inalienable right of every Nigerian citizen.

In a bid to also protect those rights, the NCC has intensified efforts on consumer education, which it sees as a driver of consumer protection.

Speaking at a town hall  meeting in Warri Abudullahi Maikano, NCC director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, said the NCC toll free line 622, was one of its initiatives to protect every Nigerian consumer.

“Consumer education is identified by the Commission as one of the most cost effective mechanism that provides and guarantees consumer protection,” he said.

“Besides serving as a pro-active way of protecting consumers from making wrong choices, it also serves as a preventive measure that protect consumers from being exploited and against fraud.

“To ensure that the telecoms consumer is well Protected, Educated and Informed, the Commission has developed series of initiatives with the main goal of empowering Consumers with appropriate information that will ensure that their rights are not only protected but their choices provide them with value for money.”

He said the initiatives include:

• Organising Outreach programmes (TCP, COP & CTM) across the country.
• Consumer education via factsheets.
• Information dissemination via Consumer web portal.
• Interaction via Social media like Twitter handle, face book etc.
• Responding to enquiries via NCC Call centre on a toll free number – 622.
• Participating on Radio programmes that educate consumers on their rights and privileges.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly provides for a number of rights, which are recognized as inalienable to every citizen of the country,” he added.

“In the same direction, the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), the regulator with the mandate of regulating the telecommunication industry and the protection of the telecom consumers; also recognize that the rights of every telecoms Consumer must be protected; one of the fundamental rights of the telecom consumer is the right to be informed and educated.”

“These rights include but not limited to the right to receive correct information on services they subscribed to; information provided should be clear, complete, and accurate and in a language that will be understood.

NCC said it is the responsibility of the Service Providers to:

• Communicate information to consumers in a plain and simple language.
• Ensure that information provided to consumers is relevant, current, accurate and timely.
• Ensure that consumers can reliably and easily have access to information that can assist them in making an informed choice.
• Give consumers the choice of receiving information in a language they can understand.