By Eben Enasco Kingsley Benin City

The Nigerian Communication Commission has identified Consumer Education as one of the most cost effective mechanism that provides and guarantees consumer protection as a proactive way of protecting consumers from making wrong choices.

The statement was made on the occasion of its 77 edition of the consumers outreach programme with the theme, Information & Education as a Catalyst for consumer protection held on Thursday in Benin City.

Addressing participants, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Abdullahi Maikanko ably represented by his deputy,Dr. Femi Atoyebi, quipped that the programme was established by the commission to bring together, Consumers, Service Providers and its regulators to address telecom consumer related issues.

Dr. Atoyebi reiterated that the objective was also geared towards ensuring that the consumers are giving the right protection, education.and information that will help curb unwholesome practices of some service providers.

He said,”at the Nigerian communication commission, the telecom.consumers are the target beneficiary of all our activities and enjoy primary focus in terms of ensuring that they get good service, value.for money spent, timely and fair redress of complaints and protection from unwholesome practices.

“It also seeks to educate telecom Consumers and other stakeholders on the contemporary issues generating interest in the industry,”he explained.

Atoyebi however, maintained that the initiative which is spanned.through organizing outreach programmes will also ensure that its statutory obligations are correctly spelt out with the view to protect.consumers interest.

Some of the participants however frowned at the attitude of the service providers while urging them to look at areas they can improve on to deliver quality services to its users.