JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-Nigerian President Olsegun Obasanjo has cautioned GSM mobile operators against charging too-high tariffs for their services. Obasanjo made the remarks while at the official opening of the national microwave transmission backbone built by MTN Nigeria in Lokoja, Kogi state.
Obasanjo said that while it is the policy of his administration not to interfere or dictate tariffs, his government is concerned that the tariffs are remaining unbearable for the majority of Nigerian citizens.
“I would like to urge GSM operators to exercise the highest restraint and sense of responsibly in fixing their tariffs, while the government will continue to put in place suitable conditions and policies to enable operators to develop viable tariff regimes,” he said.
Obasanjo acknowledged the fact that the GSM operators had helped to create thousands of jobs for Nigerians during the past two years and that the arrival of GSM has brought with it enhanced productivity and efficiency into almost every economic sector of Nigeria.
The president commended MTN for its investment in Nigeria, saying the backbone is in line with the government’s universal access policy to extend telecommunications services to the rural areas.
Afam Edozie, MTN Nigeria’s chief marketing officer, said that the 3,400-kilometer backbone had taken 12 months to complete and was one of the largest engineering projects undertaken in Nigeria. As a result, 120,000 small towns will now be inked to the MTN network.
