By 
By Chinedu James
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) have commenced a joint regulatory consumer protection investigation in the telecommunications sector.
The two agencies held an inaugural meeting this week at the NCC’s headquarters in Abuja to formally begin proceedings on tackling issues in the telecoms sector.
The agencies having met earlier in the year at the directive of the National Assembly to tackle the rising cases of call masking and call refiling will in furtherance hold investigations and inquiries into consumer issues and complaints in the sector.
NCC, CPC joint regulatory body to investigate consumers issues in the telecoms sector
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management of the NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare and the Director General of the CPC, Babatunde Irukera in a joint statement announced the commencement of the joint regulatory inquiry in the telecoms industry.
According to the statement, the expected outcome of the joint investigation is to address the multiple challenges bedeviling the industry, ensure the provision of better telecom services and more transparent charges, service responsiveness by the telecommunications operators and improved customer satisfaction.
The joint committee aside from working at the instance of the National Assembly was set up on account of the continuing dissatisfaction and complaints by consumers having been plagued by unwholesome practices by telecommunications network operators in the country.
In partnership with relevant security agencies, the two agencies will apply measures and set up strategies in the fight against call masking, call refilling and other illegalities in the industry. Both NCC and CPC intend to keep abreast of important issues to ensure enhanced operations and customers’ satisfaction.
