The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has engaged its board and management to deliberate on ensuring that the commission is well-positioned to drive the next phase of the growth of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
Speaking at a three-day 2021 board and management retreat (BMR) with the theme “Expect more, deliver result”, organised by the commission in Abuja, the chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande, said the retreat was an opportunity for the regulatory body “to go to the drawing table” in ensuring the commission remains well-positioned to deliver on its mandates.
Earlier, the NCC executive vice chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, re-emphasised the confidence of management in the continuous support of its board of commissioners towards actualising the set targets and goals for advancing the growth of the industry.
He expressed confidence in the leadership of the board of the commission, noting that the support of the board has been invaluable in the accomplishments of the commission.
“I must commend the board of commissioners under the chairmanship of Prof. Adeolu Akande for their support. From the first day of assuming office as chairman, Prof. Akande has demonstrated his commitment to work with the management towards ensuring that the NCC delivers its functions more efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Danbatta stated that, as an effective, efficient and independent regulatory agency of the Federal Government, the NCC has been consistent in living up to stakeholder expectations, proven by the contribution of the telecom sector to the national economy.
“Without the staunch support of the board for the management’s vision and mission, it would have been difficult for us to achieve our goals. Therefore, I commend the board for providing the necessary policy directions required to drive management’s daily activities,” Danbatta said.
The NCC boss also appreciated the effective coordination of the 2021 BMR by the retreat consultants led by Prof. Pat Utomi, in ensuring effective facilitation of proceedings, deliberations and brainstorming sessions at the retreat.
A statement by the NCC director of public affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the retreat followed the unveiling of two key documents – the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 and the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025. The SVP is a streamlined version of the SMP, while the SMP is an off-shoot of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030), the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
It explained that the SVP, which has five central visions, also has three supporting documents, namely: implementation strategies and timelines, monitoring and evaluation framework and implementation responsibility matrix. The objective of the SVP is to enhance regulatory focus and efficiency in the delivery of NCC’s mandate.
“Within this context, the commission has focused this year’s retreat on taking account of remarkable successes recorded in the last one year and how the commission hopes to innovate its way toward addressing industry challenges militating the consolidation of the growth of the telecommunication’s sector.
“At the end of the three-day retreat, an eight-point communique was read out as a synthesis of all the deliberations for submission to [the] NCC Board and Management to guide the regulatory activities of the commission over the next one year. Implementation of the communique is expected to birth a new lease of expectations and dedication towards making 2022 a more rewarding year of innovation and growth for the telecom industry.
“Over the years the NCC, as a world-class regulatory agency, has held annual board and management retreats, allowing it to re-jig its culture, processes and strategic objectives for enhanced operational efficiency and regulatory excellence,” it added.
