The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta has said it is on the verge of concluding processes to issue the regulation on Electronic Waste which it drafted three years ago.
Danbatta who disclosed this at a world press conference to commemorate the 2021 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), stated that the objective of the Regulation is to manage E-waste; promote reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery; improve environmental management system of operators in the telecom industry; and reduce greenhouse emissions as well as enhance sustainable development efforts.
According to him, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day for 2021, “Tackling Plastic Pollution” will raise awareness and engage state and non-state actors on the global plastic pollution crisis. This is coming three years after the NCC drafted the Nigerian Communications Commission Industry e-Waste Regulations in 2018.
The telecom regulator who noted that many ICT and telecom devices have plastic components, whose waste materials could worsen plastic pollution, said “we reckon that improper disposal of such disused ICT-plastic embedded products have grave implication on public health, and especially in achieving Goals 11, 12 and 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
“These goals speak to the imperative of adhering to practices that enhance Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production; as well as Climate Action respectively.
Furthermore, he said NCC, worried by the recurrent cycle of fraudulent deployment of fake and substandard mobile devices – usually made of iron and plastic components, collaborated with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other relevant government agencies to inaugurate a committee to implement Mobile Devices Management Systems (DMS).
“This initiative is designed as a Public-Private Partnership aimed at combating the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned communication devices in the telecommunications industry. The expected result of this initiative is that, only genuine materials malleable to enduring usage are available for consumer use.
“The Commission also implemented a strict type-approval process that ensures all equipment used in the telecommunications industry are of a suitable standard, both for the good of the consumers and for the preservation of our environment.
“This coincidental connection between the 2021 theme for World Consumer Rights Day, “Tackling Plastic Pollution”, and the proactive initiatives of the Commission towards protecting the environment as well as efforts on tackling electronic waste in Nigeria tells the story of a shared vision for a satisfied consumer,” e said.
Danbatta added that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 – enjoins the Commission to protect the interest of the consumers, which the Commission has done religiously, through subsidiary legislations, guidelines and directions that proactively address consumer concerns and stipulate responsibilities of all stakeholders.
In his welcome remark, the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Barrister Adeleke Adewolu, said NCC has been unwavering in its commitment to the primacy of the consumer in the architecture of telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
“For this reason, the NCC has received many awards, and we will not rest on our oars. This also explains why we have organised today’s conference to recall policies, initiatives, programmes and activities of the Commission towards protecting the rights and addressing the concerns of the Nigerian telecom consumer,” he added.
Also, the chairman, industry consumer advisory forum (ICAF-NCC), Prince Ighoovie Majemite, said over the years NCC has created a veritable enabling environment for a robust telecommunication industry that speaks to good customer experience.
According to him, NCC steadfastness in protection of the industry and consumers rights and privileges are not compromised. “Today, in the course of this event we shall be unveiling another ICAF initiative in collaboration with NCC…. The telecommunication handbook.
“This book is very informative and educative. It captured the necessary things consumers need to know in the telecommunication industry without ambiguity. Our success is achieved under the able leadership of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isah Pantami, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta and his management team, Majemite concluded.