NCC seeks Senate’s cooperation in regulating telecoms industry

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on the National Assembly, especially the Senate Committee on Communications, to cooperate with it in regulating the telecommunications industry.

The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Garba Umar Danbatta made the call last week in Lagos, during a retreat for the Senate Committee on Communications, organised by the commission.

Represented by the Head, Legislative and Government Relations, NCC, Mr Inatimi Spiff, Danbatta said that such cooperation would ensure that the sector was effectively regulated.

He said that he was delighted on how enthusiastic the committee members were about the growth and development of the telecommunications industry.

According to him, it is evident that NCC and the Senate share a common interest in overcoming the challenges of the industry, as well as a common aspiration towards progress for the benefit of Nigeria.

”Hence, this retreat gives us further opportunity to seek your cooperation in carrying out our mandate as the independent regulator of the telecommunications industry.

”We shall remain fair, firm and forthright always,” he said.

In his keynote address, Professor Cleopas Angaye, a former Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said that there was a positive correlation between telecommunication and socio-economic development of a nation.

Angaye spoke on the theme: ”Improving The Socio-Economic Development Of The Nation, Through Qualitative Telecommunication Services”.

He said that the Nigeria ICT policies recognised the central importance of reliable and qualitative access to telecommunication in the achievement of social and economic goals.

The Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Ademola Adeleke, said that the retreat was very timely.

Adeleke said that it was an opportunity for the legislators and the regulator to come together and compare notes on ways to move the country forward.