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Why We Approved Disconnection Of Banks’ USSD Services -NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has explained that it approved the withdrawal of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services from Deposit Money Banks by the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria due to unpaid debt.
The Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Reuben Muoka, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source in Abuja, at the weekend.
He noted that the approval to disconnect the banks from the USSD services was given due to the refusal of the financial institutions to give consideration and cooperation to all efforts by the NCC to make them pay.
Earlier, mobile telecommunications operators, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), announced that bank customers would not be able to use the USSD services as the lender would be disconnected.
ALTON had explained that the authorisation by the regulator to disconnect the banks was due to their refusal to pay the N120bn debt owed the telecom operators for USSD services.
ALTON said the mobile network operators had planned in 2021 to take action over the N42bn debt incurred by the DMBs, but interventions by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and the NCC discouraged them.
It stated that the indebtedness would negatively impact the digital and financial inclusion programme of the Federal Government.
Despite the interventions and per-session charges for USSD services by the banks, he stated that the DMBs still refused to pay the MNOs when the debt was still about N42bn.
Mouka stated, “This issue between the banks and the telecom operators is a commercial issue. The NCC only decided to intervene because we know it will affect a lot of bank customers. This prompted the government to intervene in what should have been a commercial dispute.
“The USSD service was a commercial agreement between the MNOs and the banks. We have had several meetings with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the minister, ALTON members, mobile network operators, and the banks themselves concerning the debt but to no avail.
“There is nothing the NCC can do right now because it is the bank customers that are benefitting from the USSD codes. If the banks were keeping the faith by paying in bits, it would have turned out better, but the debt has now become exorbitant. The NCC has approved it (disconnection); the MNOs can go ahead to disconnect them since the banks owe and have refused to pay their debt”.
ALTON had in a statement signed by its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said since the contract between the mobile operators and the banks was strictly commercial, the MNOs are authorised to withdraw the services if the transaction was unprofitable to them.
ALTON added that despite efforts by stakeholders to intervene in the issue of indebtedness, the banks had frustrated the efforts by refusing to pay the debt or sign the final agreement.
The statement read in part, “The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and Deposit Money Banks (DMB) represented by the Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs, subsequently met on March 15, 2021, to discuss the indebtedness of the DMBs to the MNOs for USSD services. In this regard, the CBN and the NCC issued a joint press statement on the agreement reached by all stakeholders.”
The President Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr Uju Ogunbunka, condemned the telecom firms’ decision, which he noted would have a detrimental effect on members of the public, who rely on the services that the banks provide.
He said, “Banks are not providing services for themselves but for the customers. I believe that the issue should have been discussed with the banks and if there is no headway, then relate with the regulator since the NCC is also involved”.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.