The Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo says its members are not trying to frustrate the August 1 #EndBadGovernance protests by barring subscribers’ lines or restricting internet access.
Some subscribers have had their lines barred by their telcos, even after doing the NIN-SIM linkage.
This led to complaints by subscribers that telcos are trying to restrict citizens’ access to the internet to frustrate the planned protest.
Adebayo said on Sunday night that it was coincidental that the barring of lines by telecommunications companies was coming when several Nigerians were preparing for the protest of 1st August.
In his words, “I have received enquiries about this issue. No organisation or association is barring lines because of the proposed protest. It is coincidental that the barring of lines is coming at a time a protest is being planned. We have no hand at all in what is going on about the protest.
READ MORE: Nigeria Has Recorded No Foreign Investment in Oil, Gas Sector Since First Quarter of 2024—Rufai
“Telecommunications companies are service providers and provide service on non-discriminatory. Our hands are clean. Go to your network service provider, and your issue will be addressed.”
Similarly, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the national president of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, said the barring of lines was not done to frustrate anybody or any group.
Mr Ogunbanjo said there was a recent announcement on the issue, but many subscribers did not heed it.
“The number of NINs that are not properly done is alarming, and when you ask the affected persons, they will say I went to a kiosk somewhere or something similar to do my NIN registration.
“Many do not use their real names. Some go to fake centres to do their NIN registration. The bottom line is that proper registration was not done. I implore everybody to do the needful and go to recognised NIN centres,” Mr Ogunbanjo said.
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
