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NCC Plans Effective Telecoms Services Pricing

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10 years ago

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The Nigerian Communica
    tions Commission (NCC), has said that it is on the verge of ensuring that there is cost-based transmission pricing of services in the country’s telecommunications industry.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah,  made this known in Lagos on Tuesday, during a stakeholders Forum on the“ Determination of Cost-based Transmission Pricing in the Telecommunications Industry“, organised by the commission.
Juwah, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Dr Okechukwu Itanyi said that there had been disparity in the cost of transmission cable, with regard to the transmission cable market of the industry.
He said that in February 2014, the regulatory body held an interactive session with the operating companies, which was focused on competitive dynamics, pricing and related matters.
According to him, some of the issues raised regarding transmission cable market are discriminatory and arbitrary pricing, predatory pricing and denial of access to viable routes, among others.
“In order to address the current arbitrary, predatory and discriminatory pricing inherent in the transmission line market segment, the NCC is to urgently conclude on the cost-based transmission cable pricing study and develop strong enforcement regulations.
“The policy of the government on communication is that appropriate prices should be determined by market competition.
“It also recognises that in the journey from monopoly to full market competition, there would be period(s) of transition when competitive market forces may be inadequate to bring about efficient market conduct and prices that are close to costs.
“On such situations, the policy provides that regulatory intervention goes into effect,’’ he said.
The EVC said that this was the reason why NCC embarked on the cost study titled, “Cost-Based Transmission Cable Pricing and Development of an Accounting Separation Framework/Retail Voice Tariff’’.
The Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG Professional Services, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said that the firm was consulted two years ago to carry out the study.
Tegbe said that the result of the study was ready and appealed for the opinions and input of stakeholders, so as to arrive at a final regulatory framework.
He said that the primary objective of the project was to develop a cost-based option for regulating the pricing of transmission cable in the Nigerian telecom industry.
The Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC Ms Josephine Amuwa, said that the regulatory body believed in participatory regulation as it discharged its regulatory and oversight functions.
Amuwa said that on the long run, the study would effect the review of the price cap, which would in turn relate to reduced cost for consumers of telecommunication services.
She said that one of the functions of the commission was to ensure that the Nigerian telecommunications market remained competitive.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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