Nigeria - Minister has directed the regulator to submit an action plan to improve service delivery

[daily independent] Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili, has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to submit a concrete action plan on how to improve service delivery in telecommunications industry within two weeks.

She added that immediate action be put in place for service providers to comply with the Federal Government's policy on sim card registration.

Akunyili said sanction awaits any company that defaults in the implementation of the new policy, adding that the Federal Government is committed to improving the sector.

The communication minister gave the directive recently in Abuja during an interactive session with stakeholders in the sector.

"We are committed to enforcing laws and we are going to enforce it fully. I hereby direct the management of NCC to submit to my office within two weeks a comprehensive plan of action on how to improve quality of service.

"Considering our huge population, we deserve to have one of the lowest tariffs in Africa despite your challenges.

"The essence of SimCard registration can not be over emphasised in the society and there is no going back on the new directive, the first phase has commenced and government demands full compliance of all operators.

She also directed that operators should immediately stop the sales of new SimCards without the necessary data, adding that the second phase would soon commence.

Akunyili also added that lottery activities should be stopped, she said: "Operators must henceforth stop all lottery activities in whatever shape or guise without following due process and approval by the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission.

"You cannot do Lottery without clearing with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, discuss with the Director General and he will liaise with the necessary authorities to give you a go ahead."

In his response, Titi Omoetu, President of the Association of Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, said they were ready to comply fully with the directives of the government.

He said: "we accept the regulations; there has never been a time that operators deliberately failed to abide by the laws or the intensions of government. We accept that should anybody play foul sanctions should be meted out on us."

Nigeria: Akunyili Directs NCC to Submit Plan Within Two Weeks