The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has met with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria through its umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS) in the telecommunications industry.
At the meeting held at the NCC’s office in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Danbatta shared details about the implementation of the ERAS project.
He emphasized the collaboration between the NCC and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), saying the ERAS project is being carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, following the DFDDOT model (Design, Finance, Develop, Deploy, Operate, and Transfer), as recommended by the ICRC.
While acknowledging the efforts of the NCC in transforming the dream of the ERAS project, conceived in 2007 into a reality, Danbatta underscored the project’s alignment with the Federal Government’s directive to enhance revenue collection and prevent leakages within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
“By deploying the Revenue Assurance Solution, the NCC aims to optimize the revenue payable by licensed telecommunications service providers, thereby bolstering revenue generation for the government,” he explained.
The Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution was initially designed to focus on telecom operators, who have not only become major industry players but have also expanded their services into the digital services ecosystem, the ERAS project underwent a significant expansion.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo has singled out the exceptional leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.
Commending NCC’s commitment to quality regulation, Engr. Adebayo expressed his pride in Danbatta’s remarkable administrative skills, challenging the notion that engineers are not good administrators. He also described Danbatta as an excellent administrator, highlighting his instrumental role in the growth and development of the industry.
In June 2022, following a presidential approval, the NCC was directed to broaden the scope of the project to encompass the activities of Digital Economy stakeholders. Consequently, the project was renamed the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS).
The implementation of the ERAS demonstrates the NCC’s commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency within the Nigerian telecom and digital services sectors. Through the utilisation of accurate data and information, the ERAS aims to eradicate wrong computations, faulty data, and information leakages.