Communications 2003 No. 19 A 293 NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2003 2003 ACT No. 19 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSAL ACCESS FUND AND TO REFORM THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND REPEAL THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ACT 1992 ; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS [8th July, 2003] Commencement. ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria— CHAPTER I—OBJECTIVES, APPLICATION AND SCOPE 1. The primary object of this Act is to create and provide a regulatory framework for the Nigerian communications industry and all matters related thereto and for that purpose and without detracting from the generality of the foregoing, specifically to— (a) promote the implementation of the national communications or, telecommunications policy as may from time to time be modified and amended ; (b) establish a regulatory framework for the Nigerian communications industry and for this purpose to create an effective, impartial and independent regulatory authority ; (c) promote the, provision of modem, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable and easily accessible communications services and the widest range thereof throughout Nigeria ; (d) encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry and the introduction of innovative services and practices in the industry in accordance with international best practices and trends ; (e) ensure fair competition ill all sectors of the Nigerian communications industry and also encourage participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control and management of communications companies and organisations ; (f) encourage the development of a communications manufacturing and supply sector within the Nigerian economy and also encourage effective research and development efforts by all communications industry practitioners ; (g) protect the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria ; (h) ensure that the needs of the disabled and elderly persons are taken into consideration in the provision of communications services ; and (i) ensure an efficient management including planning, coordination, allocation, assignment, registration, monitoring and use of scarce national resources in the communications sub-sector, including but not limited to frequency spectrum, Objectives of the Act.