The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos on Friday presented its Code of Ethics for professional and business conduct.
 
A statement obtained by reporters explained that the idea for a Code of Ethics, which was first envisaged in 2013, was approved at the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON's) 21st 

Anniversary Celebration, held on Friday.
ATCON President, Mr Lanre Ajayi, said that the code was approved by members of the association, 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 a self regulatory, to regulate the conduct of members, set parameters for ethical standards and instill discipline in members, is derived from the ATCON constitution,’’ he said.
 
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,’' he said.
 
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 quackery 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 ensure that any identified infraction by a member company was remedied to the satisfaction of the customer or complainant.
 
``It will promote ATCON’s image as a responsible industry association and will encourage other organisations to do business with its member companies,’’ he added.