As the COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, continues to ravage the global community, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the telecommunications industry regulator, has put in place measures to support initiatives by other stakeholders to curtail this scourge.
The Commission, in conjunction with industry players and all other government agencies, has agreed to reduce the frequency of physical meetings all through the period of the coronavirus outbreak and considered alternative electronic meeting platforms, in order to reduce person-to-person contact that may arise from travels or meetings.
A statement signed by Henry Nkemadu, Director Public Affairs said departments within the Comission that interface with customers have developed e-platforms where all licensing requests, consumer complaints and base transceiver station (BTS) investigation requests could be channeled or provide designated e-mail addresses to be used for such requests throughout the pandemic period.
The Commission has also approved resource sharing by operators throughout the period of coronavirus. These include fibre optics cables and other resources in the event of cable cuts and other unforeseen developments during the period of coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission has also directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are in tandem with government initiatives to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide safety and support aid materials that will protect the public against coronavirus, Nkemadu added
All social and official visits to the Commission have been cancelled immediately and visitors advised to use relevant online platforms and or telephone services in accessing the Commission’s services.
For those who may be affected, the Commission implores them to take advantage of the Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) by dialing the toll-free number 112.
He said the NCC supports Right of Passage (RoP) for all telecommunications members for easy movement in the event of a total lockdown and or restriction of movement.
He said the regulator is also in support of RoP for suppliers that are involved in supplies of fuels, foods and other support services to telecom operators, to allow for free movement in the event of partial or total lockdown as a result of the coronavirus.
According to him the Commission is in touch with Law Enforcement Agencies to constantly protect telecom infrastructure nationwide. The NCC will come out from time to time with enlightenment information on the dangers of the virus so that consumers can be guided accordingly.
“Since we are in this together, no effort would be spared to bring this deadly disease to an end”, he added.
