According to the new directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, henceforth all telecommunications firms operating are required to submit their advertisement copies for approval 14 days before publication in the media.
The new directive, which was released at the 2015 public inquiries on the draft enforcement process, regulations and SIM replacement guidelines in Abuja, by the Executive Vice of the NCC, Eugene Juwah, stipulates a fine of N10 million for operators that flout the rule.
According to Juwah, the slow growth of the industry in Nigeria is as a result of the non-compliance from the players, stating that the new directive has become part of NCC’s regulations and guidelines for all telecom operators.
He said the draft enforcement regulation is an amendment of the previous regulations issued to the industry in 2005 adding that “These regulations have been amended to reflect best practice which is tandem with global benchmark.”
When finalised, the regulations will provide a more robust framework for effective and efficient processes and procedures for carrying out enforcement in the industry.
Giving reasons for the imposition of the directive on the telecos, he explained that “what has happened in the industry is that there has been a rapid growth and we have noticed that the incidence of non-compliance to our regulations has been increasing and because of the progress and success of the industry we see that the fines of 10 years ago are small and they can pay it.”
Juwah also insisted that the fine of N10 million is not outrageous, noting that it was an increase from the previous fine of N5 million.
