The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has called on the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to as a matter of urgency, engage Phone Importers and Manufacturers to ensure that ALL PHONES coming to Nigeria come with 3-Pin Quality Chargers.
Presenting the group’s position at the occasion of the virtual launch of the Commission’s Strategic management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 in Abuja, President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo said “We will like to take advantage of this unique opportunity to felicitate with the very 1st Honourable Minister of Communications & Digital Economy and to heartily congratulate our indefatigable Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta on his re-appointment to steer the Sports Utility Vehicle of the Nigerian Communications Commission for another 5 years.
“The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers – NATCOMS was established in the year 2002 as a Telecommunications Consumer Rights Advocacy Association.
“Nostalgically, we remember NATCOMS participation in the 2nd Edition of NCC’s Trail Blazer – TELECOMS CONSUMER PARLIAMENT, held at the Senate Chambers of the old National Assembly, Tafawa Balewa Square, Racecourse, Lagos, in the month of September, 2003.
“In this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic times and the “New Normal” of holding Social-Media Digital Meetings, Webinars, TeleConferences, etc, we propose our message of goodwill and wish ALL participants a happy and fruitful consumercentric deliberations.
In presenting this goodwill message, we appreciate the exemplary display of magnanimity by the Dambatta led administration in reducing the N1.04 Trillion fine imposed on MTN to a seemingly reasonable N330 Billion.
“Also, NCC’s regulatory excellence played out with the conferment of European and African Awards for Best Practices, by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), based in Switzerland.
“It becomes noteworthy to mention the fact that the NCC 2013 – 2018 Strategic Management Plan was meant to achieve 30% Broadband Penetration. It is heart-warming to say that the Dambatta led administration has achieved this goal and looking at 40% penetration ahead.
Globally and in Nigeria, we are currently being attacked by a pandemic – the Coronavirus Disease also known as COVID-19, since last February.
Chief Ogunbanjo noted that “As at Monday, June 22, 2020, infected people in Nigeria has hit the 20,000 mark and still counting. Governments, Corporate Organisations, Churches, Mosques and even Politicians have been stretching their hands of fellowship by giving Palliatives, in order to cushion the negative economic effects on the people. In the same vein, Telecoms Subscribers in Nigeria are also looking forward to the Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria to give FREE Voice Call and Data Palliatives to Subscribers in their various networks.”
NATCOMS boss averred that “The NCC as Nigeria’s Telecoms Regulatory body has set the pace on the Consumer Rights to seek Redress by providing the 6-2-2 TOLL-FREE line. The Telecoms Network Operators have also done the same by providing the Toll-Free Customer Care lines. Unfortunately, this is not so for other companies operating in Nigeria.
In other countries, we all know that companies do provide Toll-Free Redress /Complaint lines as one the Consumer’s Rights to seek Redress. This Redress /Complaint Toll-Free lines should be provided by ALL Companies operating in Nigeria that is expecting some form of Feedback /Redress on their Products and Services Offerings. This promotes Consumer-Centrism.
“At this juncture, we want to draw the attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission to the unwholesome practice of the Phone Importers and Manufacturers. With Nigeria’s population of over 200,000,000 and a Subscriber base of over 120,000,000, we make bold to submit that Nigeria is a very big Phones Market and as such, ALL Phones coming to Nigeria must satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of Phone Users, particularly as it concerns the Phone Chargers that come with phones into Nigeria. All over Nigeria, all our Electrical Wall Sockets are the 3-Pin-Plug type.
“However, Phone Dealers, to our disappointment bring into Nigeria the 2-Pin-Plug Phone Chargers. This situation infringes on the Consumer’s right to Product Satisfaction in view of the fact that Mobile Phones are Consumer Durables. This leaves the Phone Buyer dissatisfied considering the fact that he /she either spends additional money to buy a multi-socket 3-Pin equipment or left to be forcing the 2-Pin “follow-come” charger into the 3-Pin Wall Socket which damages the wall socket and sometimes leading to very dangerous occasional electric sparks.
