Rivers Woman Wins MTN Aeroplane: Opts For N64m Cash Reward …NCC Bans Telecom Promos, Lotteries

A 27-year old student of Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Rivers State, Ebube Essien-Garricks, has emerged the winner of a Cessna 182T aircraft in the much talked about mother of all promos – the MTN Ultimate Wonder promo.

On hand to witness the final draw which was held at the company’s Golden Plaza, Ikoyi, Head Office, yesterday, were pressmen, and officers from the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

When contacted on phone, Ebube immediately opted for the cash value of the plane, which is N64 million.

Overwhelmed and full of emotions, she showered praises on MTN, describing the ultimate prize as a true wonder coming just in time for Christmas.

In her words, “ I am short of words, there is no word to describe what I feel right now, it is almost as if it is a dream but I know that nothing can be more real than what I am feeling right now. This must be the best Christmas gift ever. It is truly wonderful”.

The MTN Ultimate Wonder promo started in August with promises of fantastic and fabulous cash prizes and an Ultimate winner of an aeroplane. 1,200 people won N150, 000 each, while 12 winners got N2 million each during regional cash-prize presentations in Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, the National communication Commission, NCC has banned all promotions by Telecommunications Network Operators including lotteries that have dominated networks in recent months. The Telecom operators affected by the prohibition are Globacom Ltd, MTN, Intercellular Nig Plc, Visafone Comms Ltd, Etisalat, Airtel Networks Ltd and Multilinks Telecoms Ltd.

The Commission has in recent times been inundated with several complaints from consumers, Industry Stakeholders against the various promotions offered by Telecommunications Operators. A statement signed Tony Ojobo, the commission Director of Public Affairs, said that consistent with its processes, the Commission has carefully evaluated the complaints received especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks, the general interest of the consumers, the socio-economic impact of these promotions on Operators and other relevant stakeholders.

The Commission is also mindful of its statutory responsibilities such as; to protect and promote the interest of consumers against unfair practices, promote fair competition in the industry by protecting Operators from misuse of market power and anti-competitive/unfair practices by other Operators.

In due regard to the afore-mentioned responsibilities therefore and having observed that these promotions have increased the number of minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of time thereby creating congestion in the networks as subscribers try to use up the available minutes within the stipulated time.

That on-net calls were now being offered by Operators at tariffs well below the prevailing inter-connect rates thereby introducing anti-competitive practices and behavior.

It also noted that termination of calls were becoming increasingly difficult from one network to another and overall consumer experience on the networks has become very poor thereby making it extremely difficult for subscribers to make calls successfully.

Consequent upon these the Commission therefore has banned all promotions by Telecommunications Network Operators as well as lotteries being carried out on such networks.

This ban covers all proposed and approved promotions and lotteries on which the Commission has given approval further to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

This ban is with immediate effect and shall continue to remain in force until such a time as may be determined by the Commission.

The Commission assured all telecommunications consumers of its resolve to ensure that the quality of service offered across all networks is such that delivers value to the consumers.

It is not certain whether the affected telecom operators will endure the ban having committed huge sums of money to various promotions.

Rivers State Governor. Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left), with Onyi Isi Etche, HRM Chief E. N. B. Opurum, at a town hall meeting in Etche, yesterday.