Telecommunication operators in Nigeria such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom have supported the increase of tariffs within seven days, should the Nigerian government not find a solution to the present challenges they are facing.
The was announced by Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), during a press briefing to on Thursday.
According to Adebayo, the operating cost of doing business in Nigeria, especially the current price of diesel will leave the telecoms operators no choice but to review their rates
“We are concerned that unless there is an intervention to save this sector, operators will have no choice than to begin a process of price review.
“Operators are very concerned about the rising cost of diesel and its implications on the general cost of business,” he said.
Recently, Kogi State Government had shut down over 70 telecommunications sites in Kogi State as a result of disputes arising from unusual taxes and levies demanded through Its Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).
Speaking on the KIRS dispute, ALTON said it was uncalled for, as the “unsubstantiated allegations” that the telecoms were defaulting tax payments were not true.
“The action by KIRS was hinged on an ex parte court order obtained by the KIRS over unsubstantiated allegations that our members are in default of tax payments to the state government (which is not the truth) and access to these critical telecom sites has been denied.
“This issue is likely to lead to a total communications blackout in the entire Kogi State, parts of Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and possible impact on service availability in some parts of the following States: Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger States.
“These are states sharing borders with Kogi State.
“ALTON and its members will no longer tolerate discriminatory charges against the sector. The industry is planning to begin a study on varying tariffs to some of the unfriendly telecommunications states in other to accommodate their demand,” Adebayo said.
