- The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Eugene Juwah, on Tuesday said the commission would henceforth fine any telecommunication operator the sum of N10 million for publishing advertisements or promotion without getting the necessary approvals from the commission.
- This, Juwah stated, would become part of NCC’s regulations and guidelines for all telecom operators.
He said the draft enforcement regulation was an amendment of the previous regulations issued to the industry in 2005. - However, he said operators would now be required to submit their advertisement copies for approval, 14 days before publication or roll out in the media.
- When finalised, he said the regulations would provide a more robust framework for effective and efficient processes and procedures for carrying out enforcement in the industry.
“These regulations have been amended to reflect best practice which is in tandem with global benchmark,” he said.
- The EVC made the disclosure, while speaking on the sideline at its 2015 public inquiries on the draft enforcement process, regulations and SIM replacement guidelines in Abuja.
- Asked to explain the basis for the N10 million fine, he said: “The fine of N10 million is not really on the high side if you consider the fact that the fines are being increased from N5 million to N10 million.
“What has happened in the industry is that there has been a rapid growth and we have noticed that the incidence of non-compliance to our regulations has been increasing and because of the progress and success of the industry, we see that the fines of 10 years ago are small and they can pay it.
Source: Thisday
