Hon. Sina Bilesanmi National President ATCIS-Nigeria as Subscribers Complain bitterly to NAN with Punch Newspaper, talking to the Press yesterday Wednesday 17th January 2024 interview as in a letter from telecom Subscriber advocacy body called ATCIS-Nigeria to Dr Amin Maida EVC/CEO NCC and copies; Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff to President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Bosun Tijani Minister, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Director Consumer affairs Bureau NCC, CEO/ MD-MTN & Globacom, ATCON.ALTON representative, ICAF Chairman and Seven ATCIS Mediator resolution teams with reference number ATCIS/NCC/ DISP GLO&MTN 110124/205 dated 11th January 2024 tag TELECOM SUBSCRIBER BODY IN NIGERIA APPEALING IN WORKING TOGETHER WITH TELECOM REGULATORY- NIGERIAN COMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [NCC] IN RESOLVING “INTERCONNECTION SETTLEMENT DISPUTE BETWEEN GLOBACOM AND MTN NIGERIA COMMUNICATION PLC FOR BETTERMENT OF 226 MILLION TELECOM SUBSCRIBERS ATCIS MEMBERS, TELECO OPERATORS & OUR COUNTRY ECONOMY
“On Monday 8th of January, 2024, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news of NCC’s grant of approval to MTN Nigeria for a ‘Partial Bar’ of Globacom telephone lines subscribers from calling its network as was reported in some leading print and electronic media outlets across the country” The said news was on the front pages of leading newspapers in Nigeria, particularly ‘The Punch Newspaper’ some foreign business newspapers; of particular reference “Westafrica BusinessNews” also carried the report boldly in its front page where the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Muoka was quoted thus “The commission having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Globacom does not have sufficient or justifiable reason for non-payment of interconnect charges” and subsequently issued a ‘Partial disconnection’ of Globacom calls at the expiration of a 10-day ultimatum from the date of issuance of the notice.

To an average Nigerian, the impact of such an issuance or report might not readily be taken in but on a more critical examination and scrutiny, it portends adding an unnecessary and avoidable hardship on a people and country that have had to endure some really challenging, testing situations, policies in recent times and still trying to grapple with a whole lot more unfavorable policies.

This could possibly break the back of an already over-burdened donkey; the burdens inherent if the policy were to be eventually executed might altogether destabilize and create a chaos within an economy that is still managing to find its feet under a new administration.To this end, there are a few points for very serious consideration in view of the ongoing impasse, they are;(1) If the barring were to go ahead, above 120 million innocent Nigerian telephone subscribers would be affected some of whom are private users.

A number of others more who might be business owners and depending on Telecoms for their business operations would definitely be affected which would of course invariably affect the sources of their livelihood adversely and what of the spiral effects this portends on their dependants?(2) It would possibly lead to a situation whereby the business of the affected company; Globacom is adversely affected and consequently a situation whereby scaling down might become a necessity; the members of staff that would bear the brunt have families to cater to; some of whom are bread winners.This might create such a ripple effect that would throw some more people back into an already saturated labour market which has an unemployment rate that stands at around 60% thereby creating more problems and overloading an already saturated and heated polity.

Going forward, in line with the core objective of The Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria) which seeks to promote and protect the interests of Telecoms consumers in the country, we sincerely crave your indulgence and strongly advocate for quick and effective Arbitration in the matter to see to it that Nigerian subscribers are not made to suffer the consequences of what is no cause of theirs and have an extra burden placed on an already weak shoulders.As partners in progress; ready and willing to partner with all stakeholders on all consumer related issues with a view to protecting their interests which of course has been the major drive and focus of ATCIS, we would also like to strongly propose an urgent meeting to be convened between the major stakeholders in the impasse (MTN, GLOBACOM, ATCON, ALTON, NCC) and ATCIS within the next ten (10) days date Thursday January 25th, 2024 within NCC Office so as for the impasse to be resolved and ensure Nigerians are not put through further suffering.