The exceptional leadership of the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta has been lauded by the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo.
Adebayo praised Danbatta’s commitment to quality regulation and attributed the success of the country’s telecom industry to the favourable regulatory environment it enjoys.
During a recent meeting with mobile network operators in Lagos, Adebayo expressed his pride in Danbatta’s remarkable administrative skills, effectively challenging the misconception that engineers are not adept at administration. He commended Danbatta as an excellent administrator who played a pivotal role in the industry’s growth and development.
Danbatta himself addressed the audience, providing insights into the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS) project. He emphasised the collaboration between the NCC and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and highlighted that the ERAS project operates under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement based on the DFDDOT model (design, finance, develop, deploy, operate and transfer), as recommended by the ICRC.
Danbatta acknowledged the NCC’s efforts in transforming the ERAS project, which was conceptualised in 2007, into a tangible reality. He emphasised that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s directive to improve revenue collection and prevent financial leakages within ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The deployment of the revenue assurance solution aims to optimise the revenue payable by licensed telecommunications service providers, thereby increasing revenue generation for the government, according to Danbatta.
Originally designed for telecom operators, who have not only become major players in the industry but have also expanded into the digital services ecosystem, the ERAS project underwent significant expansion.
In June 2022, following presidential approval, the NCC was instructed to broaden the project’s scope to include the activities of digital economy stakeholders. Consequently, the project was renamed the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS).
A statement by the commission’s director of public affairs, Reuben Muoka emphasised that the implementation of the ERAS demonstrates the NCC’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency within Nigeria’s telecom and digital services sectors. By utilising accurate data and information, the ERAS aims to eliminate incorrect computations, faulty data and information leakages.
The commendation from the chairman of ALTON and the ongoing efforts of the NCC, under Danbatta’s leadership, underscores the commitment to creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and sustainable development, crucial for driving economic growth and enabling digital transformation through the telecom industry.
As the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution progresses, stakeholders in the telecom and digital services sectors eagerly anticipate its positive impact on revenue generation and the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.
