The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of
Nigeria (ALTON) has warned seven state governments over arbitrary closure of
telecom sites and multiple taxation, reports ITRealms.
Speaking in Lagos, ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo
listed those states currently on the wrong neckside of operators to include Ogun,
Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Osun and Kaduna States due to arbitrary closure of
telecom sites and actions of government impacting on our operations.
He also said that ALTON is very carefully considering the
situation of site closure and harassment of its members in the aforementioned
states.
He warned that anytime soon, ALTON members would begin
to make them feel the impact of their actions on telecom operators if they do
not desist from deliberate disruption of operations.
Mr. Adebayo noted that the aforementioned states are
treating industry as an extractive industry and imposing myriads of taxes on
our member and closing down the BTS Sites arbitrarily.
ALTON, he said, has resolved that, arbitrary sealing of sites,
without following the guidelines clearly provided by the Nigeria Communications
Commission (NCC) and in line with best practices will no longer be tolerated;
“Any State or local government authority that closes our
sites: our members will not reopen such sites: we will serve the necessary
warnings and if such practices continue: we are then faced with two options:
first is to pay the charges by such state Government, and to increase the
tariff chargeable for calls originating and terminating from networks in such
states: With all the attendant service
delivery issues,” he warned.
However, where such actions on the part of government
continues, ALTON said it will advise all members, after due consultation with
relevant authorities, because of the security and economic implications, “to
shut down the entire network in such state for one full day as a final warning
to such State or Local Government area.”
ALTON said that they are very concerned about the recurring
cases of telecom sites closure by government agents.
Lamenting that they continue to record cases of arbitrary
site closure in many states of the federation in an attempt to force service
providers to pay local taxes and levies some of which are multiple in nature
and most of which are only aimed toward telecom operators.
ALTON further called for a cross-sector cum multi-stakeholder
approach to reduce growing burden of taxation on telecom industry.
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Pix: ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo speaking with ALTON Executive Secretary, Mr. Gbolahun.
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