Telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the ban placed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on lotteries and promotions.

They told newsmen at the 53rd edition of the Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) organised by NCC at Ogbomoso in Oyo State that improved services were needed rather than lotteries and promotions.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, the President, National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOM), urged telecom operators to roll out infrastructure that could accommodate hitch free calls from the available SIM cards.

"All we want is better infrastructure that is commensurate with the available SIM cards," Ogunbanjo said.

He commended the NCC on its efforts to ensure that consumers get value for their money, urging it to always consider compensation for consumers when reeling out sanctions to providers.

Chief Mathew Fashola, the Caretaker Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, urged telecom operators to replicate what operates in neighbouring countries in terms of tariffs and service delivery.

"I think they should concentrate more on improving their services than these promotions and lotteries.

"The tariffs should also be looked into to replicate what operates in neighbouring countries," Fashola said.

Mr Stephen Oke, a retired principal and winner of N1 million in the Globacom promotion, confirmed that Glo promo was real, adding that more was needed by subscribers in terms of service expansion.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Okechukwu Itanyi, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management of NCC, said promotions and lotteries were banned by the commission to enhance service delivery, adding they had adversely affected services reeled out.

Itanyi, who was represented by Dr Olufemi Atoyebi, the Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, said the commission was committed to the protection of consumer rights.

"We have taken several initiatives by coming up with projects that will ensure and guarantee that consumers' interest are adequately protected," Itanyi said.

Representatives of the various telecom outfits, however, described the promotions as an avenue to compensate subscribers for loyalty in patronage, adding that whatever was beneficial to a few subscribers was lottery.

They urged subscribers to be wary of fraudulent messages, adding that customer care services of all telecom outfits be contacted in such cases.

Mr James Akpomienue, Globacom Business Director for Oyo 2, assured subscribers of adequate compliance with the guidelines of the NCC. NAN