NCC cautions Nigerians against Selling, Buying of Non-Type Approved, Counterfeit Devices
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has cautioned Nigerians against selling or purchasing non-type approved and counterfeit devices.
Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC, Mr. Akassim Umar, gave the warning while speaking at the fifth edition of the commission’s Market Conversation held at the GSM Village, Wuse, Abuja, adding that NCC approves the devices that can be sold in the Nigerian market and does not want substandard devices to be in circulation in the market.
Umar, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Dr. Emilia Nwokoro, disclosed that the Commission decided to hold the event at the market in order to sensitize both sellers and buyers on the dangers inherent in selling such non-type approved and substandard devices.
Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC said: “You know this is the GSM village and they deal with all these devices – phones, laptops and others. The essence of coming here is to sensitize them on the danger of selling non-type approved devices.
“Normally in NCC, we approve the devices that can be sold in the Nigerian market because some of them are substandard. So, we don’t want the substandard devices to be in circulation in the market.
He advised the dealers that before bringing in telecoms devices into the country, they must seek and get approval from NCC and warned that the Commission would arrest and sanction anyone caught selling non-type approved devices.
Umar stated that in accordance with international best practice and the Commission’s mandate to “promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number which shall be designated as the Universal Safety and Emergency Assistance Number for Telephone Services generally”, NCC has launched 27 active Emergency Communication Centers (ECC) across the country.
On his part, the Chairman of the GSM Village Cell Phones and Accessories Dealers, Macdonald Ugochukwu Ajuogu, in a chat with journalists, explained that the GSM market has a platform where all the dealers are registered with the union, as well as a task force that monitors everything that is being done in the market.
Ajuogu stated also that when any of their members violates the standard in the GSM market, such person is either fined or suspended.
According to him, in the GSM Village, some members sell phones or computers, however, if anybody is found wanting, the task force will always confiscate their goods.
He acknowledged that although sometimes some of their members always cut corners, trying to do one or two things but they are always advised not to deal on non-type approved phones popularly known as Chinco phones or laptops in the market and to be sincere with their customers.
