NCC directs telcos to implement harmonised short codes

From

Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

The Nigerian Communication Commission has released harmonised shortcodes for mobile networks in the country.

With this development, MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile users will recharge, check account balances and other services with the same shortcodes.

The codes include 300 to be used as the harmonised code for Call Centre/Help Desk on all mobile networks; 301 for voice Mail Deposit; 302 for Voice Mail Retrieval; 303 for Borrow Services; 305 for STOP Service; 310 for Check Balance, and 311 for Credit Recharge.

Also, the common code for Data

Plan across networks is now 312. In line with the new direction, 321 is for Share Services, while 323 is for Data Plan Balance. The code, 996, is now for Verification of Subscriber Identity Module Registration/NINSIM Linkage.

The code, 2442, is retained for Do-Not-Disturb unsolicited messaging complaint management, while the common code, 3232, is also retained for Porting Services, otherwise called Mobile Number Portability.

Meanwhile, the NCC has directed the mobile network operators to commence the implementation of the approved harmonised codes with May 17, 2023, being the deadline.

The NCC, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben

Muoka, said the move is aimed at achieving uniformity in common short codes across networks.

The statement read in part, “This means that the code for checking airtime balance is the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of the network a consumer uses.

With the new codes, the telecom consumers using the over 226 million active mobile lines in the country, can now use the same codes to access services across the networks.”

It added, “The old and new harmonised shortcodes will run concurrently up until May 17, 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes. The period between now and May

17, 2023 is provided by the NCC to enable telecom consumers to familiarise themselves with the new codes for various services.

“The initiative, which is in line with NCC’s regulatory modernisation programme, is essential to make life much easier for telecom consumers, as it is now easier for Nigerians to memorize single codes for various services across all mobile networks they may be using, thereby improving consumer quality of experience.

“In addition, the new policy will provide an opportunity for licensees in the Value-Added Services segment of the telecoms sector to be able to use freed-up/old codes for other services, as well as enhance cohesive regulatory framework in keeping with world-class practices.”

Reappointed members of the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Hon. Abdullahi Maikano(Left); Hon. Grace Chinda; Hon. Olubukola Balogun; the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, OFR; Hon. Hannatu Muhammad; Hon. (Justice) Adamu Bello; Hon. Yahaya Umar Dauda and Hon. Obiora Samuel Igwedibia, in a group photograph after the swearing in of the board members by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers in the Presidential Villa, yesterday Abuja.

Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 21.91% as cash scarcity persists

The consumer price index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, rose to 21.91 percent in February 2023, up from 21.82 percent in the previous month.

The inflation rate data is contained the latest CPI report released on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The February increase comes across as the second consecutive rise in the country’s inflation figure this year, as Nigerians struggle to access cash for their daily needs — a challenge caused by the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to the NBS report, “the February 2023 inflation rate showed an increase of 0.09 percent points when compared to that of January 2023 headline inflation rate”.

“Similarly, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 6.21 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2022, which was 15.70 percent,” the bureau said.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in February 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., February 2022).

“On a month-on-month basis, the percentage change in the allitems index in February 2023 was 1.71 percent , which was 0.16 percent points lower than the rate recorded in January 2023 (1.87 percent).”

This means that in February 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.16 percent lower relative to January 2023.

NBS also explained that the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months period ending February 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 19.87 percent, showing a 3.15 percent points increase compared to 16.73 percent recorded in February 2022.

According to the bureau, food inflation rate in February 2023 was 24.35 percent on a year-onyear basis — representing a 7.24 percent points increase compared to the 17.11 percent recorded in February 2022.

The statistics body said the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruits, meat, vegetable, and food product.

On the a state profile, Kwara, Imo, and Lagos residents paid more for food in the period under review.

“On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in February 2023 was 1.90 percent, indicating a 0.18 percent points decrease compared to the rate recorded in

January 2023 (2.08 percent).” the report reads.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelvemonths ending February 2023 over the previous twelve-months average was 22.12 percent, which was a 2.44 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in February 2022 (19.69 percent).

“In February 2023, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kwara (29.51 percent), Imo (27.47 percent), and Lagos (27.42 percent ); while Sokoto (18.54 percent ), Jigawa (19.67 percent ), and Yobe (21.89 percent) recorded the slowest rise.

“On a month-on-month basis, however, February 2023 food inflation was highest in Yobe (3.15 percent), Edo (3.03 percent ), and Ogun (2.90 Percent); while Rivers (0.75 percent), Sokoto (0.89 percent), and Nasarawa (0.90 percent) recorded the lowest.”