How regulation lifted
the telecom industry in Nigeria –Ndukwe
By CHRISTIAN OCHIAMA
Friday, December 5, 2008
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•Ndukwe
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications
Commission (NCC), Dr Ernest Ndukwe has defined the role
of a regulator in the telecommunications industry even
as he listed some of the key success factors for regulation.
Speaking as the Guest Lecturer at this year's inaugural
lecture of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) , he said that the role
of the regulator was essentially to encourage the growth
of commercial enterprises and competition and noted
that this was one of the factors that has influenced
the modest success NCC has so far recorded.
Furthermore he said that the job of a regulator was
to, among others "prevent the development of cartels
and uncompetitive practices; remove barriers to market
entry often experienced by new operators ; and oversee
the interconnection of new entrants with incumbent and
dominant operators".
The EVC also said that the regulator was required to
monitor tariffs and ensure that rates were financially
and economically reasonable, make sure that service
quality was of an acceptable standard even as customers
were treated fairly with operators extending their services
to remote and rural areas.
Ndukwe listed some of the key success factors to include
enabling laws, government support, consultations, regulatory
decisions and licensing.
He cited laws as "the foundation for a successful
regulatory environment" and which must be such
that the regulatory body has the statutory powers to
function effectively.
Similarly, the EVC maintained that the decision of government
to divest from the ownership of telecommunications operating
entities has significantly enhanced competition and
strengthened the regulatory institution because it did
not also double as owners of telecommunications operators.
Commenting on consultation as a success factor, the
NCC boss said that it has given "all sectoral stakeholders
the opportunity to comment or make their cases concerning
a major decision that impacts them before a final decision
is taken."
Ndukwe also said that the transparency, objectivity,
professionalism , efficiency and fairness in carrying
out regulatory decisions have made the job in this regard
much more acceptable and hitch free.
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