NCC allays fears of operation disruption, job loss in Etisalat Nigeria

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has vowed to protect the company from possible collapse in its operations. The Commission allayed the fears during the 80th edition of Telecom Consumer Parliament, TCP held at Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja.

Prof. Umar Dambatta, executive vice chairman of the Commission, gave the assurance while delivering his opening address at the event.

Prof. Dambatta, who was represented by Mr. Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, said the Commission wasn’t unaware of the current challenge facing Etisalat Nigeria following the recent report about its mother company withdrawal from Nigerian market but had waded into the matter to save the jobs of the staff and interest of the 21 million subscribers at stake.

The EVC said though the Commission never anticipated the crisis would befall Etisalat, it was resolute in ensuring that it does not jeopardize the interest of the consumers.

‘‘This year 2017 is a year of the consumer. We never anticipated the challenge Etisalat is currently facing and because of the lives of the 21 million consumers at stake, NCC and the CBN came in to intervene.

‘‘As I speak, Etisalat is still running, despite the proposed plan to change the name. In spite of the challenges, we have kept it running for the sake of the consumers. I can assure you that no single staff of Etisalat has been fired, we will make sure all of them are protected and the services not disrupted.’’

Also speaking on the matter, Mr. Plato Syrimi, director, Consumer Care at Etisalat, also dismissed the fear of the staff and subscribers of Etisalat, saying that the change of name would have no impact on the operation and service delivery of the company, insisting that no consumer would lose his line.

‘‘Don’t expect any dare consequences because of the proposed change of name. The truth is that Etisalat has been operating from the Middle East shareholder until it pulled out of Nigeria two weeks ago.

‘‘We have been operating and still running. That will not affect our services. It is unfortunate that this happened but will not affect the market, which had been in operation for many years.