•NCC says technology no longer garbage in garbage out
•Code of conduct highly needed now
•Seeks NASS understanding of activities

The world is going to be highly disrupted. But no panic, it’s only going to be for good. That was the message Nigeria’s telecom regulator; the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, gave at different fora, weekend, to prepare industry enthusiasts  for expected effects of growing new technologies in the sector.

The commission also promised to extend transparent regulation of the industry to cover the new developments and sued for cooperation and understanding of all, especially the National Assembly.

The telecom regulator said that although technology disrupts other industries, it is however the most disrupted and therefore was hoping to put policy measures that will make people remember NCC as creating a conducive environment for the growth of ideas, technologies and businesses.

The commission said the availability of disruptive technologies like Mobile Internet, Internet of Things, Cloud, Advanced Robotics, Autonomous vehicles, Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony, Live Streaming and other Social Media Applications, was the reason it deliberately designed a robust broadband plan across the country.

Speaking on the ‘Role of Disruptive Technologies in Catapulting the African Continent’s GDP’, at the Nigeria Technology Exhibition Conference (NITEC 2016) in Lagos, Head New Media and Special publications, Mr Okoh Aihe who represented the Commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, at the event, said ordinarily the word disruptive will qualify for troublesome and unsettling, but in the instance of new technological developments, it has become a good omen with qualities considered strong and positive enough to transform the GDP of the continent.

Aihe said the commission was aware that a robust broadband plan can support these disruptive technologies is capable of boasting the nation’s Gross Domestic product (GDP).

“The commission, as a regulator, is committed to boosting Africa’s GDP with disruptive technologies in its robust broadband plan, which is geared towards steering the IT industry to the kind of growth that will allow Nigerians fulfil their dreams,” he said.

Explaining that there was no longer garbage in garbage out in technology, Aihe admitted that “what is happening today in technology is totally out of control and beyond the expectations of everybody. Aware of these trends, the commission under Prof Umar Danbatta has carefully thought out the 8-Point agenda and strategy to help push the industry to new heights in an era of very fair, firm, and forthright regulations.”

Code of corporate conduct, imperative

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta said that under prevailing circumstances, code of corporate conduct was highly needed in the industry now more than at any other time.

Danbatta while presenting the code to industry practitioners in Lagos recently admitted that Nigeria was in a precarious state due to corruption which largely could be responsible for the set back the economy is experiencing at the moment, adding that a code on how each corporate practice should be carried out was needed more urgently.

According to him, “in Nigeria, our situation is more precarious. Years of operating a mono product economy driven mainly by oil revenues, coupled with dwindling earnings from that sector and vicious attacks on oil installations, are pushing the economy to the brink. Sadly the common thread that runs through these failures, whether at the national or corporate level, is the absence of an effective corporate framework. It is fairly settled that without a robust corporate governance structure, corruption and arbitrariness thrive, progressively weakening the structure and competitive edge of many organizations. In the face of these stark and disturbing realities, the federal government for the first time since our journey to nation hood is thinking outside the box. More than ever before, efforts are being made to diversify the economy by developing the real and non-oil sector as viable options to a sustainable economy. Interestingly, the telecoms sector is leading the pack in the federal government’s determined effort in this regard.

Investment opportunities

“The liberation of the telecoms industry opened investment opportunities for both local and foreign companies, contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To illustrate, in contrast to the economy as a whole which regressed to -0.36% in the first quarter of 2016, the telecoms sector contributed in progressive and real terms about 8.83% to the GDP in the same period.

This represents an increase of 0.5% relative to the growth in the last quarter of 2015. Similarly apart from attracting foreign direct investment, (FDI) in excess of $38 billion and reflecting the economy, the telecoms value chain (formal and informal) continues to create a significant number of job opportunities for our teeming youths. Other positive spin-offs include increasing local contents and rising income per capita/per head for employees in the sector,” he said.

“As a sector regulator, why are we not resting on our oars and basking in the glory of our widely documented success? The answer is that we are committed to building a sustainable and formidable structure established over the years for the industry to thrive and outlive us.

Also speaking, the Commission’s Secretary, Barr. Felix Adeoye, said that the code of corporate governance was constituted in 2014, aimed at addressing areas such as risk management and internal control, discipline, fairness, among others.

NASS, show some understanding

Also, Danbatta, in Abuja, has called for more cooperation and understanding among members of the House of Representatives, on regulatory functions of the commission.“Speaking during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications, in Abuja, Danbatta stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stakeholders in the industry.

Delicate balance

“We will still use this opportunity to seek your cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakeholders, including the legislature.

“These stakeholders have diverse but very important interest, which the regulator must satisfy. In the course of achieving an effective regulation for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise,” he explained.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, commended the commission’s efforts at steering the industry in the right direction, adding that the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country will yield immeasurable results.