The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo has praised the exceptional leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.
He also commended the NCC’s commitment to quality
regulation, attributing the success of the telecom industry in the country to
the regulatory environment it enjoys.
Speaking at a meeting with mobile network operators on the
implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS) in the
telecommunications industry, held at the NCC’s office in Lagos, yesterday,
Adebayo expressed his pride in Danbatta’s remarkable administrative skills,
challenging the notion that engineers are not good administrators.
He described Danbatta as an excellent administrator,
highlighting his instrumental role in the growth and development of the
industry.
Addressing the audience, Danbatta shared details about the
implementation of the ERAS project.
He emphasized the collaboration between the NCC and the
Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), saying the ERAS
project is being carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
arrangement, following the DFDDOT model (Design, Finance, Develop, Deploy,
Operate, and Transfer), as recommended by the ICRC.
Danbatta acknowledged the efforts of the NCC in transforming
the dream of the ERAS project, conceived in 2007, into a reality.
He also underscored the project’s alignment with the Federal
Government’s directive to enhance revenue collection and prevent leakages
within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
By deploying the Revenue Assurance Solution, Danbatta said
the NCC aims to optimize the revenue payable by licensed telecommunications
service providers, thereby bolstering revenue generation for the government.
Initially designed to focus on telecom operators, who have
not only become major industry players but have also expanded their services
into the digital services ecosystem, the ERAS project underwent a significant
expansion.
In June 2022, following a presidential approval, the NCC was
directed to broaden the scope of the project to encompass the activities of
Digital Economy stakeholders. Consequently, the project was renamed the
Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS).
The implementation of the ERAS demonstrates the NCC’s
commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency
within the Nigerian telecom and digital services sectors.
Through the utilisation of accurate data and information,
the ERAS aims to eradicate wrong computations, faulty data, and information
leakages.
With the telecom industry playing a critical role in driving
economic growth and enabling digital transformation, the ALTON Chairman’s
commendation and the ongoing efforts of the NCC under Danbatta’s leadership
highlight the commitment to creating an enabling regulatory environment that
fosters innovation and sustainable development.
As the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance
Solution progresses, stakeholders within the telecom and digital services
sectors eagerly anticipate its positive impact on revenue generation and the
overall growth of the Nigerian economy.
As the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance
Solution progresses, stakeholders within the telecom and digital services
sectors eagerly anticipate its positive impact on revenue generation and the
overall growth of the Nigerian economy.