The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has expressed admiration for the exceptional leadership of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.
Adebayo also commended the NCC’s dedication to ensuring quality regulation, attributing the success of the telecom industry in Nigeria to the favorable regulatory environment it enjoys.
During a meeting with mobile network operators held at the NCC’s office in Lagos, Adebayo proudly acknowledged Danbatta’s outstanding administrative skills, challenging the notion that engineers are not adept at administration.
He described Danbatta as an excellent administrator who has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the industry.
Addressing the audience, Danbatta provided insights into the implementation of the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS) project.
He emphasized the collaborative efforts between the NCC and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), highlighting that the ERAS project is being executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement following the DFDDOT model (Design, Finance, Develop, Deploy, Operate, and Transfer) recommended by the ICRC.
Danbatta acknowledged the NCC’s efforts in turning the ERAS project, conceived in 2007, into a reality.
He also emphasized the project’s alignment with the Federal Government’s directive to improve revenue collection and prevent financial leakages within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
By implementing the Revenue Assurance Solution, Danbatta explained that the NCC aims to optimize the revenue payable by licensed telecommunications service providers, thereby bolstering government revenue generation.
Originally designed to focus on telecom operators, the ERAS project underwent significant expansion. In June 2022, following presidential approval, the NCC was directed to broaden the project’s scope to include the activities of Digital Economy stakeholders. As a result, the project was renamed the Expanded Revenue Assurance Solution (ERAS).
The implementation of the ERAS underscores the NCC’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and financial efficiency within the Nigerian telecom and digital services sectors.
Through the utilization of accurate data and information, the ERAS seeks to eliminate incorrect computations, faulty data, and information leakages.
Given the critical role of the telecom industry in driving economic growth and enabling digital transformation, the commendation from the ALTON Chairman and the ongoing efforts of the NCC under Danbatta’s leadership highlight the commitment to establishing a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and sustainable development.
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.
