The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took the initiative to organize a Talk to the Regulator Forum in Bayelsa on Thursday, to engage and foster a cooperative relationship with them.
The Forum which continues tomorrow, Friday offered a rare opportunity for the Commission to identify the challenges faced by the licensees and work collaboratively towards finding solutions.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, highlighted the significance of such forums in gathering relevant information to advance the industry’s development, improve regulations, and enhance service delivery to telecom consumers.
He emphasized the need for continuous regulatory improvements to keep up with the rapid technological growth and milestones achieved in the telecom industry.
The telecoms industry regulator has introduced measures like facilitating the rollout of 5G services, introducing Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licenses, and reviewing existing licenses’ scope and structure to accommodate industry trends.
According toto Professor Danbatta, these initiatives are aimed at supporting the goals outlined in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025), including achieving 90% broadband penetration by 2025.
With a significant number of Nigerians having internet access, including high-speed internet for millions, the NCC is taking a leadership role in driving broadband expansion and ensuring the availability, accessibility, and affordability of telecommunications services.
Venny Eze, the Zonal Controller, explained that the event in Bayelsa was the second in a series of engagement forums organized by the NCC with licensees in the South-South region.
The previous forum took place in Port Harcourt in 2021 for licensees in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones, with a brief hiatus in 2022 due to unforeseen circumstances.
Venny highlighted that the forum provided a valuable platform for interaction not only between the regulator and licensees but also among other industry stakeholders.
NCC’s engagement with licensees in Bayelsa and other regions reflects their commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and the overall development of the Nigerian telecom sector, in line with industry advancements and the goals outlined in the National Broadband Plan
