The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has disclosed that the issues of data depletion and wrong deductions of consumers’ credit have been taken care of, as it has tightened the noose through an ongoing forensic audit instituted by the Commission to ensure maximum protection for consumers.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who disclosed in Abuja when he received the Man of the Year 2020 Award from MoneyReport magazine, also assured that consumer protection remains a key focus area of the Commission’s regulatory activities.
The EVC said the telecom regulator has accomplished significant improvements in this direction through various initiatives aimed at putting mobile operators on their toes to be more consumer-centric.
According to him, the ongoing forensic audit that is being carried out by the Commission is a plan to get to the bottom of why consumers are experiencing data depletion and the possibility of compensating them for wrong deductions, which may arise from short message service (SMS).
“We have instituted and we have insisted that despite the fall in data price, that forensic audit must go on and must be concluded and the outcome communicated to the CEOs of telecom companies”, Danbatta said.
While appealing to Nigerians to wait for the outcome of the ongoing forensic audit, Danbatta said operators will be made to comply with whatever directions are given after the investigation with a view to ensuring maximum protection for telecom consumers.
He, however, noted that the Commission has developed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on data depletion, which are designed to inform consumers on activities that may result in faster depletion of their data as well as enlighten them on measures to mitigate such. The FAQs are accessible from the Commission’s website.
Over the years, the NCC has given boost to consumer protection empowerment through sustained awareness creation and education on consumer rights and privileges.