By Ayo Jones
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has bagged the 2021 ITREALMS Telecom E-Waste Regulator Award in recognition of its commitment in the regulation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in Telecom Sector.
The award was presented on behalf of the management of ITREALMS organisation by the President of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, at the 2021 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue held yesterday at the Welcome Centre Hotels, Lagos, with the theme “e-Waste in Nigeria: Consumer as key to Circular Economy & 20 years of GSM.”
Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was represented by the Head of New Media, Dr. Ominiyi Ibietan, dwelt on “20 years of GSM and e-Waste in Nigeria.”
He noted that NCC is the independent national regulatory authority for the telecommunications sector in Nigeria and also responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.
Created under Decree No. 75 by the [Federal Military Government of Nigeria] on 24 November 1992, the Commission was charged with the responsibility of regulating the supply of telecommunications services and facilities, promoting competition, and setting performance standards for telephone services in Nigeria.
In order to achieve its mandate, the Commission has put in place some necessary licensing and regulatory framework for the supply of telecommunications services, especially using “ASPIRE 2024” – (A: Advancement through S: Strategy, P: Professionalism, I: Innovation and R: Regulatory, E: Excellence).
Those present at the event included the President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and publisher of RealNews, Maureen Chigbo; publisher of Newsmart, Rose Mose; Teach & Admin Officer at the E-Waste Producer Responsibility Organisation of Nigeria (E-PRON) Ms Mofesayo Oyedeji and the Executive Director, DigitalSENSE Africa, Mrs Nkem Nweke.