The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that its priority in ICT development in the country, among others, is to ensure that users enjoy the best possible ICT services.

This, according to the commission, is the rationale for the numerous checks it has put in place to mitigate the challenges in the use of ICT services in the country.

NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said this recently in a paper delivery in Lagos on, “ICT and Finance as Catalyst for Tourism and Culture”.

The NCC boss, who was represented by Reuben Mouka, of NCC Public Relations, said: “ICT plays an effective role for the development of any country and can thus provide and harness the culture and tourism.” He, however, quickly added that ICT “cannot do much on its own as it may not have much impact.”

Speaking on some of the problems that have bedeviled the industry in recent times, Danbatta said: “NCC is focusing on the quality service issues to ensure the best of services. We have solutions and yet consumers don’t take advantages of them.

“This is why we have declared 2017 as the year of the Nigerian telecom consumer.

“In this campaign, we hope to bring to bear, on the consumers across the country about the availability of solutions available that they can apply to mitigate challenges in the use of ICTs. Solutions like the nascent issue of unsolicited text messages is being tackled with a Do-Not-Disturb Code evolved to stop all unsolicited text messages like simply sending text STOP to 2442, or Help to 2442 to access options where some particular messages are desired.

“We also have an alternative option for subscribers whose issues are not promptly resolved by the service providers by calling NCC on toll free number 622. We are also focusing on the challenging quality of services in the networks with a view to providing succour to the consumers who we believe deserve value for their hard-earned money in the use of their services.”

A recent report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) placed Nigeria’s broadband penetration at 21 percent, up from about 10 per cent nearly two years ago.

As at March 2017, Nigerians access to mobile communication with national phone subscription stood at over 152 Million, with teledensity of over 108%. Internet subscription is about 90 million.

“This indicates that Nigeria is in a fast pace of broadband deployment. In recognition of these potentials that abound in broadband environment, the Nigerian Communications Commission is currently pursuing the broadband agenda with vigour,” Danbatta said.

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