By Alpha Abu
The Chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) Joe Blell has described the Consumer Parliament as a platform for an interactive session involving telecommunications service providers and consumers which deserves much needed attention. Blell who was addressing the sixth Consumer Parliament held in Bo on Friday 26 March 2021 said telecommunications should reach all including people living in the rural areas of Sierra Leone.
He said the role of NATCOM is to ensure that is achieved, because this is the internet age and that everyone should be taken along the process. The NATCOM Chairman observed that the institution is part of the global community and should adhere to certain regulations that govern international telecommunications. He said the event could generate “firm exchanges” on various issues in the telecommunications industry.
NATCOM Director General, Daniel Kaitibi expressed his delight over the convening of the consumer parliament. He encouraged consumers to seize the opportunity of having the presence of the leadership of telecommunication companies and could ask questions or express views and concerns on issues related to service delivery. Kaitibi said he would solicit approval for the Consumer Parliament to be held twice per year.
Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swarray as Keynote speaker took his time to highlight the benefits the society would gain from an enacted cybercrime law. He spoke about the distress and personal harm misuse of the internet could cause to especially vulnerable people like children. Minister Swarray re-echoed President Julius Maada Bio’s assurances that the cybercrime law will not infringe on the rights of the people, contrary to what he said the “doomsday” critics have been trumpeting.
The Consumer Parliament had as Speaker Daniel Streeter and the vey interactive session saw consumers sharing their views on the services the telecommunications companies provide. Well known Civil Society activists including outspoken campaigners for improved services by telecommunications companies, deliberated on the various issues affecting customers.
Earlier the Member of Parliament Boston Munda and also of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Information and Communication ,spoke highly of the cooperation they have been receiving from the Information and Communication Ministry. He admonished the telecommunications companies to fully educate their customer base on their services.
The Consumer Parliament attracted hundreds of people at the main hall of Njala University, Bo campus.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online {30/03/21)
