Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have warned that the high cost of diesel, which is presently been sold at above N700 per liter is capable of causing service disruption across the country.
The operators, who gave the warning through its umbrella body the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), also warned that if nothing is done to bring down the cost of diesel, then operators will have no choice but to begin a process of price review.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, also expressed concern over the general state of security in the country, disclosing that telecom operators are unable to provide 24/7 support in certain areas as it is unsafe to send out service personnel to some parts of the country and to others at certain times of the day.
“We are concerned about the cost of diesel, which has recently risen from N250 to N750 per liter. This is threatening service availability as many of us can no longer afford the cost to power our cellular sites,” Engr. Adebayo said.
While reaffirming ALTON’s commitment to work working with the security agencies in order to provide the necessary support for national security, Engr. Adebayo called on the Government to do a lot more to keep the nation safe.