The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has warned GSM telephone service providers against short-changing their customers by way of hidden charges or related sharp practice.
Director, NCC Consumers Affairs Bureau, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano issued the warning in Bauchi while delivering a speech at the 80th edition of Consumer Outreach Programme, organised by the commission.
Represented by Ismail Adebeba, deputy director, Consumer Affairs of the commission, maikano said that it was the responsibility of the commission to protect customers from exploitation and other sharp practices by service providers.
He revealed that the commission had initiated the customer outreach programme to educate consumers and receive feedback on their grievances against service providers for redress.
While urging service providers to disseminate information to consumers in plain and simple languages, he added that such information must be relevant, current, accurate and timely.
Most of the customers who attended the forum complained of unnecessary deductions for services not rendered and deduction money in the name of debts they were not aware of.
Other complaints included the imposition of unsolicited caller tunes, music and other services, as well as inundating them with text messages during odd hours, particularly at midnight.
Over 1,000 telecom service subscribers’ from all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state and service providers attended the one day forum. Representatives of MTN, ETISALAT, GLO and AIRTEL responded to some issues raised by both consumers and officials of the commission.
