AN EXAMINATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE NIGERIA TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY

Abstract

This research work critiques the apparent challenges sparking the incessant complaints infamous with the inadequate protection of telecommunication consumers in Nigeria; particularly, in view of the existence of a legal regime. The central questions that propel this quest are: The adequacy of the existing legal framework, the potency of the existing Monitoring/Enforcement mechanisms, and the viability of alternative dispute resolution mechanism. This work chiefly examines the following themes; the concept of consumer. The institutions saddled with the responsibilities of managing consumer protection. Some ancillary regulation like Tort law, Contract and Environment rights associated with the telecommunication industry and discovers gross duplication. This work finds that The Nigeria�s telecom sector is regulated by the Nigeria communication commission empowered by Nigeria Communication Act. That the statutory safeguards and institutional rules for the protection of the right of telecom consumers in Nigeria are grossly inadequate. That the NCA has just two sections on consumer protection which only provides for procedure for making complaints and that regulatory powers enshrined in the Act appears strong but with porous enforcement mechanisms. This work recommends that NCC should make effective regulation on slamming, cramming, unsolicited calls and massage. That the negative impacts of duplicities of laws on securing consumer rights also contributes to the weakened regime. That incorporating of standard enshrined in Canada, New Zealand and India�s models of regulation will strengthen our system. Finally this work concludes that without a strong legal framework, abuse of consumer rights will continue unabated thus defeating the philosophy underlying the National policy on telecommunication.

Identifiers

Resource ID

urn:uuid:5ba16ae7-4887-4617-a2e1-8bd0809f4920