CSO Groups React as Telecom Operators Boycott Dialogue
Major telecommunications service providers were absent from the National Civil Society Dialogue on Telecommunication and Data Service Provision in Nigeria held on Thursday, August 27, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.
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The dialogue, which brought together civil society representatives, government officials, regulators and telecommunications consumers, was convened to discuss concerns surrounding the quality, pricing and reliability of telecommunications and data services in the country.
Source: Original
The absence of the operators attracted criticism from some participants, who said their presence would have provided an opportunity for direct engagement with consumers and other stakeholders on the challenges facing the sector.
Delivering the keynote address, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Dr Sunday Akin Dare, highlighted the importance of telecommunications to Nigeria’s economic development and digital transformation. Dare noted that active telecommunications subscriptions in the country were approaching 190 million, while broadband penetrati0n had exceeded 50 per cent.
He, however, said growth in subscriber numbers must be matched by improvements in the quality of services available to consumers.
“Growth in subscriber numbers alone is not enough. The quality of service experienced by citizens must improve at the same pace as investment and expansion. The Nigerian consumer increasingly expects reliability, transparency and value,” he said.
The presidential aide acknowledged the economic pressures affecting telecommunications operators, including rising energy costs, foreign exchange challenges, multiple taxation and infrastructure vandalism.
He nevertheless called on operators to strengthen their engagement with consumers and improve transparency in billing and service delivery. Dare also urged increased investment in network optimisation, improved consumer usage platforms and measures that would give subscribers clearer information about their data consumption and billing.
The convener of the dialogue and president of the organising movement, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, expressed disappointment over the absence of the service providers, saying their participation would have contributed to a more constructive discussion.
Participants at the event also raised concerns about data depletion, dropped calls, service quality and telecommunications tariffs, calling for stronger regulatory oversight and improved consumer protection.
One of the participants, Mrs Grace, urged the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Assembly to engage telecommunications operators over complaints raised by consumers.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Assembly must summon these service providers without delay to answer for this relentless, predatory exploitation of the masses,” she said.
The dialogue ended with the adoption of a 10-point communiqué containing recommendations on telecommunications service delivery and consumer protection. Among the recommendations were stronger monitoring of quality of service, improved infrastructure sharing and enhanced measures to protect telecommunications consumers.
Source: Legit.ng
