Nigeria’s telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took its stakeholder-bonding programme “Talk To The Regulator” forum also known as TTTR forum to Bayelsa from Thursday to Friday.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO NCC, who was represented by Usman Mamman, Deputy Director Licensing and Authorization said the commission, in keeping with its mandate, created opportunities to interact with its licensees on industry issues and new trends via stakeholder fora.
Danbatta said the “Nigeria Communications Commission, in keeping with its mandate, creates opportunities to interact with its licensees on industry issues and new trends via stakeholder fora, with a view to gathering relevant information that would further advance the development of the industry, while improving regulations and service delivery to telecom consumers.
Danbatta explained that the TTTR Forum in Yenagoa was originally scheduled to hold in 2022 but was postponed due to the dreadful flood disaster that hit Bayelsa and some other states in the year.
“The Commission, therefore, seized the opportunity to commiserate with the people of Bayelsa State and the entire nation on the worst flood disaster recorded in the history of the nation. “We pray that such natural disaster shall not plaque our dear nation again, and equally believe that the state has made adequate preparations for any future occurrences,” he said
The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman said, “You will agree with me that the telecom industry has witnessed milestones in more ways than one, including the rapid growth in technology, which is redefining service delivery, and creating wide and high expectations from all stakeholders. To keep up to date with developments in the industry, the Commission has equally taken measures to improve regulations to accommodate the rapid and continuous development.
Danbatta further said that “The ‘Talk-To-The Regulator` Forum is a common platform for non-discriminatory interaction on a one-on-one basis, between the Licensees and the Regulator on several industry issues, pertinent to the Licensees and of national interest.”
The two-day Stakeholders Consultative Forum on “Talk To The Regulator” is meant to create awareness about the activities of the commission in Bayelsa and get valuable feedback directly from the participants.
Mr Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management NCC the Commission’s strategic objective was to facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership with critical stakeholders in the industry.
BRANPOWER reports that the theme for this year’s Stakeholders Consultative Forum, is “Enhancing stakeholders’ satisfaction”.
Represented by Mr Damilola Ogunsipe, Office of the Executive Commissioner Stakeholders Management, he said the essence of the forum was to create awareness about the activities of the commission as a regulator and also obtain feedback from critical stakeholders on how the industry affected their daily lives.
The Executive Commissioner said, “The sector has continually ensured that the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government is established on solid foundations.
“The communications sector is indeed the pace-setter sector as far as the expansion of the frontiers for national development is concerned.”
“This was further underscored by the recent deployment of the Fifth Generation Technology (5G) services in the Country which we believe will ensure that Nigeria maximises the benefit of the 4th Industrial Revolution whilst being sufficiently prepared for any attendant risk that may occur.
He said, “A market study has shown that the deployment of 5G Technology Services will result in $13.2 trillion in global economic value by 2035, generating 22.3 million jobs in the 5G global value chain alone.
“The exponential growth of the telecommunications sector is largely attributable to effective policies, legal and regulatory framework implemented by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”
Also Mr Mohammed Babajika, Director, Licensing and Authorization NCC, said the Talk To The Regulator forum was an annual stakeholder’s consultative forum hosted by the commission and was conceptualised to achieve some objectives, which were to educate licensees on their various licence obligations.
It is also to provide a platfom where Licensees can openly discuss challenges experienced in the course of operations and together with the commission proffer solutions.
According to him, it will provide a platform where top management of the commission can receive feedback directly from the industry to aid in decision-making.
BRANDPOWER reports that the forum attracted robust participation and contributions from critical stakeholders in the state.
