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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is hosting an event to celebrate the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in Abuja, with a special focus on the telecom industry’s shift to clean energy. This event continues the NCC’s tradition of supporting consumer rights, which started in 2017 when it declared that year as the “Year of Telecom Consumers.”
The theme for this year’s WCRD, “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transitions,” provides the NCC with an opportunity to share its efforts to encourage telecom operators to switch to renewable energy sources in their operations.
Barrister Adeleke Adewolu, NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, representing the Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, explained that the Commission is focused on reducing the telecom sector’s environmental impact. Due to Nigeria’s unstable power supply, telecom companies have relied heavily on diesel-powered generators, making the industry a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
Danbatta, a Fellow of the Renewable Alternative Energy Society (FRAES), stressed that renewable energy and energy efficiency are essential for cutting down on carbon emissions. He noted, “The theme is very relevant, especially with the global threat of climate change. The telecom sector contributes a lot to emissions, especially since there are more than 54,000 base stations running on generators.”
The NCC is working on policies that will encourage telecom companies to use clean energy, which aligns with global initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To further promote sustainability, the NCC has introduced a framework that encourages telecom operators to share infrastructure. This reduces the need for duplicate infrastructure and helps lower the sector’s reliance on diesel generators. “By sharing infrastructure, we can cut down on emissions and make telecom services more sustainable,” Danbatta added.
The NCC’s commitment to renewable energy reflects its goal to reduce the telecom industry’s environmental footprint while ensuring that consumers benefit from more sustainable services.
