…Restates commitment to partner telecom consumer rights advocacy groups

In spite of the threat posed by COVID-19 contagion, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is thinking out of the square to demonstrate its commitment to tackle consumer-centric issues in the telecom eco-system, as it hosts the second quarter meeting of Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF), the first virtual meeting of the Forum.

At the meeting, anchored from the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja recently, the NCC reiterated its commitment to increase its partnership with consumer rights advocacy groups in the sector to expand the sphere of consumer education through timely, accurate and adequate information sharing to enhance the level of education of the average telecom consumer.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive (EVC/CE) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who spoke through the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB), Efosa Idehen, said the Commission is working consciously and appropriately to ensure that continuous and informed conversations take place among all stakeholders in the industry on all matters, particularly as it affects telecom consumers, who are the lifeblood of the sector.

“The just-concluded virtual meeting of ICAF speaks to NCC’s commitment to give full expression to the metaphorical saying: ‘thinking beyond the box’, to get the work done in the face of challenging circumstances, such as the restrictions resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19. We are, therefore, committed to partner ICAF and other stakeholders in the telecom industry to stimulate value-adding conversations that will generate ideas to sustain and advance the relevance of telecommunications as a critical enabler of digital economy,” Danbatta declared at a brief in-house evaluative session on the ICAF meeting.

As a testimony to NCC’s readiness to work harmoniously with other stakeholders in the industry, the Commission, in collaboration with ICAF, is finalising the production of Telecom Consumer Handbook, in order to deepen consumer education about telecom products and services.

The Management of NCC was particularly pleased that issues affecting differently-abled people featured prominently at the meeting and promised that such matters will continue to be on the priority list of the Commission. The differently-abled people are those, hitherto referred to as ‘the physically-challenged’. A representative of the group informed the meeting that the United Nations had passed a resolution that the persons in that category be addressed as “Differently-Abled People.”

The ICAF also requested all telecom consumer rights advocacy groups to enhance their activities and programmes on telecom consumer information and education; and to be involved, in synergy with the Commission, to increase sensitisation on infrastructure protection.

While the meeting commended the attention the issue of telecom infrastructure protection has received from the Federal Government, it also called on the Commission to sustain the administrative advocacy on obtaining Executive Order, as well as the legislative process to ensure the passage of the Critical National Infrastructure Protection Bill by the National Assembly.

The NCC expressed appreciation to members of ICAF for the impressive attendance of the first virtual meeting and for the consistency in being very constructive partners to the Commission since the creation of the Forum in 2009.

In line with the corporate responsibilities,BUA a giant in the manufacturing space in Nigeria has donated equipment , cars and manpower to fight Covid 19 in the oil rich state of Akwa Ibom. This is a true demonstration of what it means to be a responsible corporate citizen.

An elated governor Mr. Emmanuel Udom said “Today, we received very kind donations for the fight against Covid-19 and other health challenges from the BUA Foundation at the Government House, Uyo. They included five ambulance buses and one hundred thousand face masks. “

He added that “The ambulance buses will be deployed to different local government areas of the state in line with our administration’s policy of ensuring that every part of the State is well equipped for eventual medical emergency, while the face masks will be sent to schools for students in exit classes who have resumed for examinations.”

in appreciation ,the governor said “I deeply appreciate the Chairman, BUA Foundation, Abdul Rabiu represented by the Director of the Organization, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong for the gesture and support.”

The state is fighting the Covid 19 pandemic with the resources at their disposal,with this donation from the BUA group,it is assumed that it would be a respite to the governor.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The Akwa Ibom State Government has emphasized that local content will be strictly adhered to in the construction process of the Ibom Deep Seaport.

The Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon reechoed this when members of Nigeria Dredgers Association paid him a courtesy visit in his office today, Thursday.

Mr. Okon who asserted that Akwa Ibom State has a lot in relation to local content, assured that opportunities would be given to willing Nigerians to contribute to the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

He reminded citizens of Akwa Ibom of the need to upgrade themselves in various skills that will be relevant during the construction process of the port in order to stand the chance of being incorporated into the various available opportunities.

The Economic Development Commissioner noted that upon completion, the sea port will not only add value to the maritime sector, but will also be of immense benefit to the entire country.

Mr Okon expressed optimism that the final approval for the kick off of the project will be gotten soon, saying that the project is at the last stage of approval.

Mr. Akan Okon lauded the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive and ensuring that the sea port project is actualised.

He assured the dregers of full inclusion in the construction process of the port.

Speaking on behalf of the Dregers Association, the Chairman, Engr. Fortune Baridoma, explained that the Association is made up of season engineers from various fields of engineering who have come together to contribute their wealth of experiences towards the actualisation of the Ibom
Deep Seaport project.

Engr. Baridoma commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for initiating the port project which will create employment opportunities for both indigenes and residents of the State as well as increase revenue of the country.

He pledged members support to the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

Press Unit.
Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport

The divine and historic judgement that restore the stolen mandate of His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma as the truly and democratically elected Governor of IMO State took place on the 14th day of January, 2020.

Upon assumption of office, it was bare to the Governor that Imolites yearn for good and quality leadership due to the several years of neglect by the previous administrations in every sector of the economy.

The Governor swung into action immediately, despite distractions and attacks from the opposition and a few disgruntled individuals who constituted themselves into a parasitic cabal bedeviling the civil service and governance within the states.

The Governor identified areas of urgent and immediate needs to quickly arrest the issues of infrastructural decay (including erosion control) especially with the rains approaching.

Contracts were awarded, massive quality road constructions commenced. Erosion situation arrested and access roads and connecting roads quickly addressed.

Seven months down the line, the Executive Governor, His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma commissioned completed road projects yesterday being 14th August 2020, as itemized below:

1.) Douglas road.

2.) Oparanozie/Edede/Amaigbo street roads.

3.) Thomas More, JP Ajaelu & Gozie Nwachukwu road.

4.) Assumpta – Owerri/Port Harcourt road/Ibari Ogwa.(4.5km dual carriage way, completed)

5.) Archdeacon Dennis road, Aladinma.

6.) Lake Nwaebere – Aladinma Ring Roads.

The Governor while commissioning these roads stated that his administration is committted towards giving Imo people good and quality road across the State adding that the government is determined to reposition and redefine the state of Imo roads for ease of doing businesses and other economic benefits accruing therein.

With these recorded achievements just within seven months of the Shared Prosperity administration of His Excellency, the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, IMO state is set to witness massive infrastructural reconstruction, rehabilitation of existing systems and recovery of lost glory.

HopeNewAndElectronicMediaCenter

… New Guidelines to Commence on August 27

The issue surrounding new guidelines for the regulation of E-hailing Taxi Operations has now been put to rest following a meeting between the Lagos State Government and the representatives of the E-hailing Operators in the State on Friday.

The meeting, which was held at the Lagos House, Marina and chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was in response to the allegation by the operators that the State Government was planning to clamp down on e-hailing transport operations with the new operational guidelines, alleging that the aim was to ban all e-hailing business similar to what was done to commercial motorcycles and tricycles.

Briefing the newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed that the State Government and the operators have agreed to reduce the e-hailing operation fees by 20 percent.

He added that the meeting also unanimously adopted the new regulations, after the parties involved jointly reviewed and fine-tuned some of the contentious items in the framework, stressing that the new regulations were not initiated by the Government to extort the operators and drivers in the business but meant to regularise the ride-hailing operations in line with security measures.

According to him, “The meeting agreed that enforcement of the new regulations will now take off ‪from August 27, 2020, instead of ‪August 20, 2020, initially announced by the Government. By implication, the operators now have an additional seven-day extension to comply with the Government’s regulations”.

Oladeinde said the State Government and the operators had reached an agreement on the controversial service tax, which is to be known as Road Improvement Fund, adding that the e-hailing operators would be paying N20 as Road Improvement Fund which will be levied on each trip the drivers make in a day.

The Commissioner said Governor Sanwo-Olu also offered duty incentives to the operators, reducing their statutory operational licensing fee and renewal fee by 20 percent, implying that each e-hailing firm will now pay N8 million per 1,000 cars new licensing and renewal, instead of N10 million initially announced.

While noting that the parties also agreed on procurement of comprehensive insurance by the e-hailing companies to cover their drivers and passengers, Oladeinde revealed that the State Government had granted all drivers on the e-hailing platforms an extension of 90 days to perfect all documents and licenses required for operation, including drivers licence and Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards.

He further disclosed that the Government would create a special office for the drivers to fast-track necessary registration and documentation before the deadline while the operators have acceded to the Government’s position on thorough background check on the drivers for security and improved service delivery.

The Commissioner averred that all parties agreed to checkmate the illegal bypassing of e-hailing mobile apps by unscrupulous drivers, who take passengers offline to collect cash, warning those involved to desist from the fraudulent act as the Government’s enforcement team would arrest defaulters.

Speaking on the controversial issue of data, Oladeinde said: “We are not asking the e-hailing companies to release detailed data. All we are asking from them is the data for trip movement, so that we can calculate the right charge and levy due to the Government. This data is to be supplied weekly”.

While noting that there was no burden of additional levy on passengers patronising the e-hailing services, he urged the e-hailing companies to work with stakeholders in the business for better relationship.

Also speaking after the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said there had been no strain in the relationship between the e-hailing operators and the State Government, pointing out that the new regulations were not to impose a tax burden on the business.

He said: “There is no iota of truth in the speculation that Lagos Government is introducing a new tax regime. The introduction of the new regulations is about the security and smooth running of the business. It is all about ease of doing business in the State”.

The National President of Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), Comrade Idris Sonuga, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for listening to the demands of the operators, saying the new regulations would enable the drivers to go about their businesses without harassment by law enforcement agencies.

According to him, “The meeting was successful. Governor Sanwo-Olu has done justice to all the grey areas. I use this opportunity to thank the Governor because he means well for the e-hailing community. I urge drivers to comply with the regulations and the deadlines given by the Government”.

The Chief Executive Officer of BMP Car, Mr. Ezekiel Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the e-hailing companies, confirmed that all the operators were in agreement with the outcome of the meeting.

Other representatives of e-hailing firms that attended the meeting included Abisola Odukoya of Bolt Nigeria and Tola Odeyemi of Uber Nigeria.

LASG

ForAGreaterLagos

The Lagos State Safety Commission has organised a training programme themed: “COVID-19: Health and Safety Protocols” for 50 religious leaders, in view of the recent reopening of religious centres in Lagos.

The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, in his address to participants at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, venue of the event, stated that with the reopening of religious centres by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu there is a need for all religious leaders in Lagos to observe stipulated safety protocols to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic among their followers.

He added that the training programme is geared towards ensuring that the leaders are enlightened on basic hygiene management and fully understand all safety protocols and guidelines stipulated by the State and Federal governments.

While acknowledging that the level of compliance to safety guidelines in places of worship visited after the reopening was commendable, Mojola, however, cautioned that religious bodies must not rest on their oars until the pandemic is effectively contained in the State.

“The pandemic has unleashed social and economic hardship on every aspect of human lives across the world without sparing places of worship. Hence, you must always be on guard and comply with stipulated safety protocols in order to protect yourself and followers from the disease”, Mojola advised.

In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye urged participants to transfer the knowledge acquired at the programme to their colleagues and members of their various places of worship.

Responding, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheik Sulaimon Abou-Nola represented by Alhaji Shakirudeen Abdul-Gafar, and Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Prof. Alexander Bamgbola represented by Reverend Father Mathew Ogunyase, promised their support to the State in ensuring strict compliance with the safety guidelines in all religious houses.

LASG