The Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPATN) has referred to as on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the implementation of telephone registration expenses for 90 days, warning that the coverage might threaten tens of millions of livelihoods throughout the nation.
The affiliation stated it supported efforts to register cellphones, eradicate counterfeit gadgets and forestall the usage of stolen telephones for legal actions, however expressed concern over the fees reportedly imposed on imported gadgets.
Speaking at a press convention in Kano, AMPATN National President Sani Tasi’u Ibrahim, represented by the Kano State Chairman, Jamilu Bala Gama, stated the affiliation was involved in regards to the financial implications of the coverage for traders, technicians and abnormal telephone customers.
According to Ibrahim, traders are being requested to pay about N670 for every small telephone and almost N4,000 for bigger gadgets. He questioned the authorized foundation of the fees, the id of the corporate receiving the funds and the transparency of the payment construction.
AMPATN argued that the extra prices might improve cell phone costs, notably these of reasonably priced and refurbished gadgets relied upon by low-income earners, college students and small enterprise house owners.
The affiliation famous that Nigeria’s cell phone commerce helps a broad community of companies, together with retail outlets, restore workshops, distribution corporations and logistics operators, whereas offering employment alternatives for tens of millions of younger folks.
Ibrahim warned that if the coverage proceeded with out satisfactory session and a overview of its monetary implications, small companies might wrestle to stay operational, doubtlessly leading to store closures and job losses.
The AMPATN president careworn that the affiliation’s opposition was not to telephone registration itself, however to what it described as the shortage of readability surrounding the fees and the method for implementing the coverage.
The affiliation due to this fact outlined 5 calls for, together with a 90-day suspension of the fees and phone-blocking measures to enable consultations with stakeholders.
It additionally referred to as on the NCC to publish the authorized provisions authorising the fees, alongside a clear payment schedule, and urged the fee to interact traders and different trade stakeholders earlier than continuing with implementation.
The traders additional demanded an accessible attraction mechanism for telephone house owners whose gadgets is likely to be blocked mistakenly, together with instances involving legit repairs. They additionally referred to as for all enforcement measures to adjust to the Nigerian Communications Act and the Constitution.
The affiliation disclosed that it had written to the NCC, petitioned the Senate and the House of Representatives, and approached the Kano State Government in pursuit of a decision by way of lawful channels.
While interesting to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and different related authorities to intervene, the AMPATN president maintained that measures designed to fight counterfeit and stolen telephones mustn’t impose disproportionate burdens on legit companies and shoppers.
The affiliation urged the authorities to interact stakeholders and develop a clear framework that may obtain the targets of telephone registration with out undermining employment, small-scale enterprises and entry to reasonably priced communication gadgets.
Barrister Ibrahim Sule, the affiliation’s authorized officer, additionally stated AMPATN remained prepared to work with the federal government and related businesses to discover a mutually acceptable answer that protected shoppers, supported legit traders and strengthened efforts to curb phone-related crimes.
