News
NCC, stakeholders chart new path to effective telecoms regulation, industry growth
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has hosted the second edition of the Nigerian Telecoms Leadership Summit, in line with its tradition and commitment to engage with stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem with a view to pursuing proactive regulatory interventions targeted at ensuring an enabling operating environment and improving investment climate in the Nigerian telecom industry.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event, which took place at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, was an assemblage of key industry stakeholders with the central objective to analyse the current state of the sector, process the issues, and chart new pathways to a more effective and sustainable regulatory regime for the stability and growth of the Nigerian telecom industry.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said that the theme of the Summit: “The Future of Telecom Regulation in Nigeria,” presented a unique opportunity for the Commission to interact with critical stakeholders.
Through such interaction, the EVC said the Commission would be able to brainstorm and migrate to new frontiers of visionary regulations that will galvanise and foster desired growth in the industry.
Danbatta explained that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered political and socio-economic uncertainties globally and underscored the crucial role of digital connectivity in keeping societies functioning, as the online life became, essentially, new way of life.
He stated that with the increased dependence on digital platforms, the theme of the event had become necessary in order to put in place a broader regulatory framework that will enhance and protect the integrity of the industry in the emergent digital economy.
In this context, the EVC said the NCC will continue to diligently pursue the implementation of policy frameworks such as Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025; and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 which are consistent with NCC’s regulatory interventions such as the Commission’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP), 2020-2024 and Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 2021-2025, among others.
Danbatta said all the policy and regulatory frameworks principally seek to provide a platform for Nigerian citizens to engage in innovative developments for the telecoms industry and improve the nation’s ability to compete in the ever-competitive global space.
Explaining further on the transformation happening as a result of the expanding spectrum of digital ecosystem, Danbatta said the industry is witnessing new business delivery and breakthroughs due to the expansion of boundaries of digital Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially fintech and e-commerce firms.
The EVC said those consequential ecosystem have contributed to the growth of the Nigerian digital economy riding on telecom infrastructure.
Danbatta aptly reckoned that digital services and contents provided by these SMEs will leverage on broadband infrastructure and the upcoming deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) network being driven by the Commission to deliver more innovative and high-quality experiences to consumers.
“The Commission’s successful auction and licensing of the 3.5GHz spectrum licences in the last quarter of 2021 for the deployment of 5G technology is set to creat many opportunities for the development of the industry and as a regulator, we are conversant with the fact that a dynamic regulatory environment is needed to sustain this industry growth”, Danbatta said.
“Therefore, it has become imperative for us, as critical stakeholders, to appraise the progress made so far as an industry and chart the course for the future of the telecoms industry in the country,” he stated.
The EVC also informed that one of the sectors that had been positively impacted by the digital transformation is the financial services sector.
Amplifiying the EVC’s position, in his keynote address titled: “The Future of Telecom Regulation in Nigeria: Challenges of Access to Funding”, the
Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Ademola Sogunle, asserted that the telecommunications industry had become the sustaining stimulus of the post-pandemic era as consumers’ behaviours continue to shift towards digital trends.
Danbatta said that the contribution of the telecom sector continues to benefit the entire ecosystem.
While reviewing resolutions of the first edition of the Summit held in 2019, the Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, Yetunde Akinloye, said the Commission had implemented the recommendations of that meeting among which were Executive Order on Duplicity of Taxes and Levies, and Harmonization of Right of Way (ROW) fees.
She said other recommendations implemented include addressing of interconnect debt, review of the framework on interconnect clearing houses to ensure 10 per cent of traffic is routed through clearing houses, incentive for small operators as well as monitoring compliance with Code of Corporate Governance.
To sustain the momentum from the previous industry leadership engagement, this year’s Summit provided the Chief Executives of companies in the telecom sector an opportunity to meet the EVC and top Management of the Commission at a roundtable for deeper thinking and greater reflection on the challenges in the sector and proffer meaningful solutions.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Mustapha Adamu Indabawa as the new Managing Director of Kano state-owned Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV) and Yusuf Kabir Gaya, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Wednesday.
Yusuf Kabir Gaya
According to the statement,the Governor had also approved the appointment of Hon. Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment, Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director General, Debt Management Office, and Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, Director General, KAN-INVEST.
Others appointed by the Governor are:Yusuf Kabir Gaya, Hamisu Dogon Nama, Managing Director, Kantin Kwari Market,Abdulkadir B. Hussain, Managing Director, Sabon Gari Market and Dr. Kabiru Sani Magashi, Acting Managing Director, KASCO.
The rest are: Aminu Aminu Mai-Famfo, Deputy Managing Director, KASCO and Engr. Abubakar Sadiq J. Deputy Managing Director, Kano Line.
The statement said the appointments which were with immediate effect, were made “pursuant to the quest of placing appropriate hands to improve good governance.”
It added that the Governor charged the appointees to use their wealth of experience in the discharge of their engagements so as to diligently serve the people of the state and justify the confidence reposed in them.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared wednesday, October 4, as Public Holiday in commoration of the birth of the noble prophet of Allah, Muhammad Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
KANO FOCUS reports that the declaration was contained in a statement issued by the commissioner of information and internal affairs Alhaji Baba Halilu Dantiye in the early hours of Wednesday.
Takutaha celebration
The Governor urged the people of the state to use occassion to reflect on the teachings of our noble Prophet and imbibe them in their daily affairs.
He also urged the people to pray pervently for peace and prosperity to reign in Kano and Nigeria at large.
He prayed to Allah to see us through this tough period and bless us with bumper havest in this rainy season and the coming dry farming season.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA) has sealed off a health facility, Reach Clinic for noncompliance with the law establishing the agency and standard operation guidelines.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director General of the Agency, Prof. Salisu Ahmad announced the sealing off of the facility after leading the enforcement on the clinic situated in Gyadi-Gyadi quarters in Kano metropolis.
In a statement by the Information Officer, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Director General said the facility was sealed off because it was opened before completing the documentation and guidelines laid down by the PHIMA, necessary for opening any private health institution.
The statement reads, “The DG stated that the information the clinic presented to the Agency was totally contrary with the record they have in possession regarding the hospital when they were invited for discussion.
“He noted with dismay the fact that the staff names the Reach clinic submitted to the PHIMA as their registered staff were not even in the state so much that some are no longer working with the clinic.
“Unfortunately, the doctors we got working at the time of our arrival at the hospital were not the ones whose names were given to us. In view of this, we deem it pertinent to close the clinic until they abide by all the rules and standard operation guidelines because they are not even permitted to start operations.
“He recalled that the law of the PHIMA that empowers it to oversee activities of the private health institutions has stipulated it that, for any centre to be opened, it must come to the Agency to complete the required documentation regarding its staff and the activities it is going to undertake.
“The DG added that with all these, such a centre wouldn’t be allowed to start operation until when the Agency goes and examine as well as assess the information submitted to them and become satisfied with.
“Reach clinic just go ahead and open the hospital without our permission despite the lapses they have. That is why we sealed off the clinic. It will remain closed until we are given the genuine information that we require and become convince with.
“The DG pointed out that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is much concern with the health of the people of the state, maintaining that the Governor is so committed and determined to see that the healthcare system is robust and standardized.
“He noted that since coming on board, His Excellency is being up and doing towards fulfilling the promises he made on health sector and the commitment is yielding positive results as people can attest to.
“If our amiable Governor can deny himself sleep in the night and goes out supervising health facilities what of us he entrusted to steer the wheel of healthcare system of the state? We must also not relent. We must work hard to complement to this noble effort of our leader.
“On this note, I want to call on private health institutions in the state to ensure they are operating in accordance with the standard guidelines and laws establishing the PHIMA. We will surely not hesitate to close any clinic that fails to follow due process.”
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