Over-Regulation Of Telecom Industry Worries NCC

The Executive Vice-Chair
man, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Pro. Umar Dambatta has said that over-regulation had impeded the quality of service being rendered by the telecommunications operators.
Danbatta said in a statement in Lagos that “some sister agencies tend to be overzealous in trying to help us do our jobs, and in the process create unnecessary difficulties for our operators.”
According to him, “this is being addressed at the various levels of government, and I can promise that the story will be much better very soon.”
He said that over-regulation connotes something dangerous and harmful to the telecommunications industry.
The NCC vice-chairman said that the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 Chapter 2, Part 1 shoulders the commission with the responsibility of regulating the industry.
The Act provides that there is established commission to be known as the Nigerian Communications Commission with responsibility for the regulation of the communications sector in Nigeria.
He said that the full powers of the commission to regulate the industry, promote competition, grant and renew licences were also imbedded in the Act.
Danbatta said, “The power to facilitate investment and protect the interests of consumers, among others, are domiciled in the Act.
“It forms the major bedrock holding up the growth of the industry,” he said.
He said that with over-regulation, meant that the telecommunications regulator was too strict to the extent that it was impacting negatively on the industry it was created to protect.
“Over-regulation can mean that there are other bodies whose incursion into the commission’s terrain is creating too much discomfort for those operating in the sector.
“We are serious with our job at the NCC. But, we also know the reason for our existence; to create and nurture an industry that serves the needs of our people.
“That thought is uppermost in our minds, as we strive to create accessible and affordable telecommunication services across the country,” he said.