Telecommunication providers under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria have lamented over the rising cost of diesel and insecurity which they said have impacted negatively on their operational costs.
President of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo who spoke at a press conference said network planning, operational expense, and projection plans for telcos are based on diesel prices.
Adebayo noted that there is need for government to save the sector, as operators might have no other choice but to begin a process of price review. He added that telcos are struggling with the availability of diesel and the logistics of delivering it to sites.
He said;
“Diesel is now very expensive, from N250 to over N700. All network planning, operational expenses, and planned projection for the year is based on the fact diesel prices. This has increased. Today, you know the implication of that. This is one problem; cost has gone up.
“We will be approaching the government for some form of intervention. But we are mindful of the high cost of living, and the implication of this on the economy and citizens. And so, we are not going to talk about direct price increases.
“But we will be approaching the government for some kind of intervention to cushion the effect of these changes on us as an industry.”
Adebayo concluded by saying that if network providers are unable to get any form of intervention from the government, they would approach the regulator to push for realistic pricing, which would reflect the dynamics and reality of the business climate.