The NCC’s And MTN’s Swindle

By Paul Onomuakpokpo

Despite the hobbling challenges of poor security and infrastructure, it is not uncommon for foreign investors to speak glowingly about the huge opportunities in the Nigerian business environment. They wonder why Nigerians should lend themselves to ruing their citizenship and being subjected to stark poverty when all around them are treasure troves they, foreigners, have braved long distances to explore.

Of course, we cannot legitimately accuse some of these investors of engaging in double speak. Yet the discerning among us are not oblivious of the fact that such a tribute to the boundless opportunities in the country could also serve as a euphemistic way of referring to the ease of making a fortune from the country by circumventing its laws and swindling the citizens.

Yes, it is not only foreign business people that enrich themselves through the violation of the laws of the country to the detriment of the citizens who pay for their services. It is a norm among local businesses to make their customers to pay for services that are not offered or shoddily provided. This is why the citizens have almost become inured to their ordeal at the hands of electricity distribution companies. 

MTN Office In Lagos Attacked By Angry Subscribers

The Bode Thomas Street office of the MTN in Surulere, Lagos, was this afternoon attacked by angry customers who complained that the telecommunication company has for several weeks now continued to block their mobile phone lines.  The company had to invite armed policemen who rushed to the scene to arrest the situation.

A customer who was among the now reduced crowd still standing there about 3.00 pm when our correspondent got to the scene claimed that the police shot teargas at the angry protesters to disperse them. Shattered door glasses indicated that the customers indeed became uncontrollable and violent. One of the policemen said a car also received the wrath of the angry customers.  

The staff had to close for the day, while the armed policemen told visitors to return the next day.   

Some customers claimed that when their lines were first blocked, they had rushed to the MTN office, and after staying on the queue for several hours, they were able to get them reconnected. But to their shock, the lines were disconnected a few days later.

“This is the fifth time I am coming here to re-register my line, and they have continued to disconnect me only days after each visit,” a visibly angry customer told our correspondent who was paying his second visit to the office to have his own line reconnected.