The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Monday urged telecoms services consumers to report any breach of business by telecoms companies.

ATCON's President, Mr Lanre Ajayi gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Ajayi said that reporting breach of business by the companies would make them abide by the association's Code of Ethics.

According to him, ATCON members are aware of the existence of the Code of Ethics which was unveiled to the general public in October 2015.

“We want the public to be aware of its existence, so if there is a breach of ethics, the public should inform us.

“If there is no report, we wouldn't know, so we want the people who consume telecoms services to take advantage of the existence of ATCON's Code of Ethics.”

Ajayi said that the Code of Ethics for professional and business conduct was first envisaged in 2013, and was approved at the Association's 21st Anniversary celebration, held in October.

He said that the code was approved by ATCON members as the standards by which they were expected to be governed in the practice of their profession and in conducting their business.

“The code of ethics is to regulate the conduct of members, set parameters for ethical standards and instill discipline in members, is derived from the ATCON constitution.”

According to him, the code is designed to guide members as the association pushes for industry self-regulation.

“The national executive council of the association has recognised the need for a voluntary industry self-regulatory process.

“This shall guide the activities of member companies in their dealings with customers and fellow member organisations.

“When you set a code of ethics and your members agree to abide by it, anybody that violates it will be penalised.

“You don’t wait till the regulator uses the big stick; it is always better for the industry to self-regulate, to discipline itself, to earn the respect of its customers.”

Ajayi also said that the code of ethics was to ensure that member companies conducted their businesses with a high degree of professionalism and in a fair and ethical manner.

The ATCON official said the code would protect consumers from quacks as members would be bound by certain rules of professional and ethical conduct.

According to him, the code will ensure that complaints of unethical and unprofessional behaviour and practices by member companies are investigated and defaulting companies appropriately sanctioned.

Ajayi said that the code of ethics would also ensure that any identified infraction by a member company was remedied to the satisfaction of the customer or complainant.

He said that the code would promote ATCON’s image as a responsible industry association and would encourage other organisations to do business with its members. (NAN)

•Photo showsATCON President, Mr Lanre Ajayi.