Telecoms Subscribers Say Service Quality Still Okay

Telecoms subscribers in Lagos on Wednesday said that the ongoing nationwide strike over the removal of fuel subsidy was not affecting the quality of telecoms services.

Chief ‘Deolu Ogunbanjo, President, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that from his findings, there had not been any major problem.

Ogunbanjo said that sustenance of service quality by the telecoms companies showed that despite the strike, operators were prepared to serve their customers better.

“Perhaps, why we are still able to communicate well is that the diesel the operators have added to their base stations is still there, that is the refill.

“But the moment that is exhausted and there is no NEPA, that is, there is no back up, it may start affecting the quality of service and there is nothing anyone can do about that.

“This is because to now go there to refill may be a problem because there have been some instances of looting as a result of the strike,” he said.

According to him, it is unfortunate that hoodlums have seen the strike as an opportunity to loot, as cases of looting have been reported at Ibafon, Ikorodu, Jibowu and Palmgrove areas.

Ogunbanjo said that even if operators would be able to get diesel, going to the base stations would be difficult, because the hoodlums might attack them.

“So I must say that ultimately, if the strike does not end on time, it may start affecting telecommunications in the country,” the NATCOMS President said.

Mrs. Uchechi Ikpa, a hairdresser in Surulere, said that except for a few drop calls, there had not been any major problem in all the calls she had made since the commencement of the strike on Monday.

Ikpa, however, urged the service providers not to relent in ensuring better quality of service for their customers.

Mr. Martin Ezeji, a businessman at Idumota, said that he had been making unhindered calls since the nationwide strike began.

Ezeji said that the text messages he sent were promptly delivered and had not been charged for any undelivered SMS.