In a stakeholders’ meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) expressed concerns about the current tariff regime in the telecom sector, stating that it is no longer sustainable.
ALTON Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, emphasised the need for a price review to align with rising operating costs, citing the burden of 52 taxes on operators nationwide.
Adebayo urged the NCC EVC to intervene in the unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debts owed by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), revealing that the outstanding debt has reached N200 billion. He asserted that the association might consider blocking debtor banks from accessing the service if the debts are not promptly settled.
The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Anthony Emoekpere, highlighted the necessity of bridging telecom infrastructure gaps to enhance service quality. The stakeholders assured the NCC EVC of their support and stressed the importance of setting timelines for resolutions.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the newly confirmed Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, assured stakeholders of his commitment to sector growth, aligning his actions with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed agenda and policy guidelines from the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. Recognising the telecom sector’s critical role in the economy, Maida urged operators to enhance service quality and contribute to job creation.
In a related development, the Senate confirmed Dr. Aminu Maida’s nomination as the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC. The confirmation followed the Senate Committee on Communication’s positive report, stating Maida’s compliance with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Act, 2003, and his suitability for the position based on qualifications and professional experience. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Maida served as the Executive Director, Technology & Operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).
