RIA requires Depth of Collaboration –Head, Legal & Regulatory Services, NCC
“Today’s discussions- on the report of the RIA, its outcomes and recommendations – are critical to refining our policies and ensuring that our regulatory approach aligns with the dynamic nature of the industry as well as shape regulatory practices for years to come.”
By Olawale Lamina
The Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida has identified the critical roles of the stakeholders and consumers in the industry as sine qua non to achieving the objective of its Regulatory Impact Assessment, RIA, towards improving consumers satisfaction and Quality of Experience.
Dr. Maida made the disclosure during his address at the presentation of report of RIA on subsidiary legislation on Thursday in Abuja.
He stated that the Stakeholder Engagement Forum was an innovation to the Commission’s rule
making process and another avenue for participatory regulatory engagement of all of the Report of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) conducted on Eight Subsidiary stakeholders.
Waida informed the gathering that the process of RIA took into consideration the three Strategic Focus Areas of the Commission, which include the consumers, licensees and the market as well as the government.
Explaining the critical roles of the stakeholders in the strategic areas, the NCC CEO stressed that the consumer takes the center stage of the regulation of the telecommunications industry and therefore are key to the issuance and the implementation of its Subsidiary Strategy. He also noted that the RIA process must of necessity review the impact of the regulations that bother on consumer satisfaction and Quality of Experience, (QoE).
In the second strategic focus of the Commission, which evaluates the Impact of Subsidiary legislation on the licencees and the market, he said this is key in determining the adaptability and the agility of the legislations, with a view to reducing bottlenecks to market entrance and entrenching fair competition in the market and thereby facilitating effective and efficient utilization of scarce. resources.
And, on government being the final stage of the strategic focus area, the CEO described it as “the overarching stakeholder and major driver of policies and national objectives,” adding that, “the RIA reviewed the impact and opportunities of these legislations on driving governmental objectives and meeting policy expectations.”
The NCC boss highlighted the essence of the RIA, which includes, to provide the telecommunications Industry with opportunities to participate in evaluating regulations which when drafted well, will not only protect the public interest but will stimulate innovations and facilitate investment in the Market.
“The RIA process provided major stakeholders with an opportunity to offer feedback, as well recommended areas to review and bring about an improvement that will enhance legislations. These enhancements will ensure the effective application and implementation of the subsidiary Legislations,” stated the NCC Executive Vice-chairman.
While he restated the Commission’s commitment to promoting a fair, transparent, and consumer-centric telecommunications landscape,
the NCC CEO emphasized that:”Today’s discussions- on the report of the RIA, its outcomes and recommendations – are critical to refining our policies and ensuring that our regulatory
approach aligns with the dynamic nature of the industry as well as shape regulatory practices for years to come. ”
Dr. Maida also commended the stakeholders’ engagement and participation as helping to provide an opportunity to look at the recalibration of the Commission’s strategic focus areas and determine whether the expectations of its major stakeholders are being met, expressed expectations of productive discussions, diverse viewpoints and meaningful outcomes capable of strengthening market rules, cement consumers trust, bring about regulatory clarity, as well as enhance the agility and adaptability of subsidiary legislations.
Stakeholders Feedback is Key…
– Chizu Whyte
Earlier in her opening remarks, Mrs. Chizu Whyte, Head Legal and Regulatory Services of the Commission, welcomed participants to the presentation of the Regulatory Impact Assessment ( RIA) on Subsidiary Regulation 2024, saying the event marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts to ensure that the NCC’s regulatory frameworks remain effective, relevant and forward -looking.
“This RIA is first of its kind and an evolutionary change to the rule-making processes of the Commission,” she pointed out and adding that beyond the rigorous work, analysis, and stakeholder input, the forum is ” a reflection of our commitment to evidence-based regulation and continuous improvement.”
She disclosed that the RIA served as a vital tool in asssessing the efficiency and impact of key subsidiary legislation governing the Nigerian Communications Sector.
Mrs. Whyte reminded the gathering that the Commission had, over time, developed a range guidelines and regulations to guide service delivery across the industry.
But, she pointed out that with evolving technologies and policy priorities, “it has become important to take a critical look at our existing regulatory instruments. The RIA process enabled us to evaluate what is working well, what requires enhancement, and where changes are necessary.”
She listed the focus of the assessment to include critical areas such as licensing, SIM registration, subscriber
management, spectrum trading, enforcement procedures, and infrastructure sharing and informed that, “through this review, we have identified opportunities to streamline processes, clarify obligations and remove outdated provisions that may hinder innovation or investment.
Explaining further, she said that what distinguishes the RIA is the depth of collaboration it entails.
In acknowledging the contributions of the stakeholders, the NCC head, legal and regulatory services said: “We drew insights not only from internal analysis but also from the invaluable feedback of industry stakeholders. Their practical perspectives and constructive contributions helped shape
the recommendations that we present today.
She concluded her remarks by appreciating the role being played by the legal department in championing the initiative, noting that, “The successful completion of this RIA demonstrates our unwavering dedication to building a regulatory environment that supports innovation, fairness, and transparency. As we transition into the next phase,the outcomes of this assessment will guide the Commission’s regulatory review and reform agenda.
“They will form the basis for amending and updating relevant subsidiary legislation to better align with current realities and future aspirations.”
However, during the presentation of the Report of 2024 RIA on Subsidiary Legislations, part of the highlights include NCC’s role in regulation, which among others, to ensure a competitive , fair and consumer-friendly telecoms sector . And, part of the reason for conducting an RIA, according to the presentation, include, “To assess impact of existing subsidiary legislations” , as we as “To identify gaps and recommend improvements for efficiency and compliance.”
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