Business
NCC Urges GSM Customers To Use 622 Toll-Free-Line
The Nigerian Communication Commissions (NCC) has urged customers of telecommunication operators to lodge their complaints of unsatisfactory services through its 622 Toll-Free-Line.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said this at the 95th Edition of Consumers Outreach Programme in Dutse on Friday.
Danbatta, who was represented by the Director, Consumers Affairs Bureau of the commission, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam said that the commission was disturbed with the various complaints from customers.
The complaints include unsolicited text messages and calls, failure/refusal to roll over unused data services at the expiration of data bundled by service providers.
Others are automatic renewal of data services upon expiration and activation, subscription to data and Value Added Services (VAS) without the consent of subscribers.
“It is in response to these complaints that the commission as a proactive institution has taken appropriate steps to address the issues raised,’’ she said.
Onwuegbuchulam said that the commission had issued directive to service providers to desist from forceful subscription of data services and VAS unless they got the consent of the customers.
“It is on this note that we develop 622 Toll-Free-Line for customers to lodge any unresolved complaints to us between them and their providers.’’
She said that failure to comply with the directive by any telecom provider would attract penalties by the commission.
“This is because we believe that a consumer is a king and as such he needs some basic rights and privileges like the right to be heard, right to be educated, right to choose, right to redress as well as right to safety.”
Onwuegbuchulam said that the Consumers Outreach Forum was an initiative of NCC to bring together telecom consumers in urban areas with network operators and regulators to discuss and offer solutions to consumer’s related issues.
“This is to ensure consumers have value for their money through effective service delivery,’’ he said.
Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Hadejia decried of the fluctuating nature of services by network providers.
Hadejia said that people had to climb mountains or go near network masts before they could make calls or send messages.
He urged the telecom providers to provide free network sites or provide some services at subsidised rates for e-learning as obtained in advanced society.
While commending the NCC for the tripartite meeting between consumers, telecomm operators and regulator, he urged telecom operators to build good networks for optimum advantage and utilisation for political, economic and social benefit of the customers.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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