FCT Ombudsman seeks NCC supports in rights protection

 The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has solicited the support of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the effective discharge of its statutory mandate.
Mr Yahaya Garba, Commissioner, PCC, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Office, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during a familiarisation visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Umar Dambatta.
He said the visit was to explore areas of mutual cooperation that would enhance PCC’s service delivery in the pursuit of public good.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports PCC is Ombudsman, statutorily established to check on government activity in the interests of the citizen, and to oversee the investigation of complaints of improper government activity against the citizen.
Garba said his establishment is seeking the support from the NCC because of the similar roles they play in protecting the interests of Nigerians and everyone resident in the country.
The Commissioner explained that one of the duties of the commission was to ensure that rights of registered telecommunication companies being regulated by NCC and that of individuals were protected.
He said the commission is also to ensure full compliance with the best administrative practices in dealing with individuals who work with telecommunication companies or as the case may be.
Garba noted that PCC’s budgetary constraint has made it impossible for the commission to fund most of its operations most especially as it relates to communication technology.
“Our budgetary constraints make it impossible for us to fund most of our operations most especially as it relates to communication technology.
“We are in a changing world where new technologies emerge daily in the commission, we must take advantage of these technologies to serve Nigerians better.
“Specifically, we want to seek your assistance in providing the commission with staff training and telecommunications equipment to support our operations to be able to strengthen our capacity to deliver on our mandate.
In his response, Dambatta who was represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Ismail Adedigba, thanked the official for the visit.
He said that PCC should put their requests into writing for the management to look into them.
Dambatta also urged the PCC to always collaborate with NCC whenever consumer outreach programme were going on for better understanding of how to carry individuals along.
“In the area of training, we have the consumer outreach programme, Town Hall meetings.
“We have trade Fair where we englighten the Consumers of their rights.
“We advise that when we have such event that you collaborate with us, and that way, you will be able to understand exactly what we do, how we carry the Consumers along,’’ he said.