Eng. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has disclosed that network providers will disconnect banks from the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code.
ALTON, the umbrella body for MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile amongst others, had disclosed that the banks have failed to remit commission from the charges of the USSD used by bank account holders for electronic transactions.
The debt has risen to N80 billion as of November 2022 from N32 billion in 2019. As a result of the growing debt, the network providers have continued to threaten disconnection.
In a report by Punch on Friday, Adebayo said, “We have sought regulatory approval to pursue partial removal. We would start disconnecting those who owe us in batches, a highest debtor scenario.
“We don’t know as regards the timing because we are required to get approval before acting. But we would certainly commence the process once it is approved. The amount is over N80bn, it is not yet up to N90bn, but it is up to that.”
It was gathered that the highest debtor will first be disconnected, and then others will follow as well.
The Head of Operations, ALTON, Gbolahan Awonuga, said the phase one disconnection will happen between January to March 2023.
