A Courtesy visit was paid to the management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja by the Gambian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ousman Bah, and some industry regulators. He said that this visit was prompted by Nigeria’s progress in telecom regulation. Nigeria’s telecoms development which has now become a reference point, has inspired the Gambian delegates to follow the same path.
Ousman Bah is impressed by this success and he commends Nigeria by saying that “the current industry statistics is proof that Nigeria is achieving her goals of digitizing her economy.” He also sought for advice from the commission on steps to take, and requested collaboration to improve efficiency for both nations, which will further develop sectors of the African Continent. Gambia has completed arrangements to establish an independent regulatory commission for its telecommunications industry, just like the NCC of Nigeria.
The Director of Legal and Regulatory Services at Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Josephine Amuwa, highlighted the impact of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003. She represented the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta. Josephine said that the NCA 2003, enables the commission to carry out its regulatory mandate effectively.
The Act is enforced to create an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry, provide efficient telecommunications services for the nation, and achieve general success for the commission. NCC strives to ensure that the mandate of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), is achieved for the benefit of the citizens. The purpose of establishing the USPF is to extend services to rural communities, to enable them access telecoms services.
