The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, says he will unveil a strategic plan for the Commission and the telecommunications sector by the end of January 2024.
Maida disclosed this when the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association executives, Abuja Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit.
He assured Nigerians of improved quality of service by telcos and solutions to the Right of Way (ROW) challenge for operators.
“We need to change the narrative about the RoW, moving away from saying it is about the charge to opening up and allowing infrastructure to be there and see what can happen, like in Edo, Kaduna etc.”
The EVC explained that the Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) linkage to the National Identity Number (NIN) Policy will improve and secure digital services in the country’s telecoms industry.
“Again, we are trying to push forward the work started by our predecessors to link NIN to SIM. Although we are being pragmatic in dealing with the challenges, the job must be completed because the benefits far outweigh the pains.
“Today, if we can tie everybody to an identity, other sectors have similar identities, like banks, Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Federal Road Safety Corp., and FRSC. Bringing it all together to NIN gives us a foundation whereby a lot of digital services can be built, and there is a security aspect as well because we know our challenges.
“I think we need to focus on the fact that we need to do this as a nation; we are not doing it to cause pain; we are doing it so that the economy can grow; there is so much in our plan.” Maida stressed
The NCC boss called for collaboration with the media on seamless development of the sector.
Also Read: NCC restates commitment to transparency
“Regarding our direction, I want to thank Mr. President and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy for considering me to fill these big shoes.
“The strategy the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy put forward was very clear regarding policy direction, and we have to try to achieve it. We also need to ensure we are telling the story fairly and simply, whether to the man on the street or internationally. I see you being very critical in telling that story.
“Be assured that our guiding principle is the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Strategic Roadmap set out by the Minister, and of course, there are some aspects that are specific to us that we will add to that.
“At the end of January, we will be releasing our Strategic Plan for the NCC and, by and large, for the industry in line with the RHA But there are also areas where we have started work,” he said.
According to the EVC, quality of experience matters. “In my engagement with the CEOs of telcos, I had to let them know that we need to make sure people everybody gets value for their money. There are challenges everywhere, whether it is FX, diesel, security but because of the criticality of the telecoms infrastructure. Let people complain and cry, but if we sit down, everything stops because telecom is critical.
“We will be driving very hard on that, as one of the areas that we should be held responsible; we will make sure it is transparent. I want it to be transparent so that we can drive the industry,” he said.
On his part, NITRA Abuja Chapter President,Mr Blessing Olaifa commended the EVC for kicking the ground running upon the assumption of office.
“With your appointment, we are confident you have the capacity and competence to drive this institution to greater heights.The telecom institution is growing very fast, not only in Nigeria but across the globe.We believe you will build on the performance of your predecessor,” he said.
NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Engagement, Adeleke Adewolu, The Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, Ubale Maska and the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Muoka, took turns commending the media for its contribution to the telecoms sector development.
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