By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano Phone dealers in Kano State have warned that a new policy being planned by the Nigerian Communications ...
By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano
Phone dealers in Kano State have warned that a new policy being planned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) may put their businesses at risk and lead to a hike in phone prices.
The dealers, under their national association, AMPAT, operating at the popular Beirut Road phone market, raised the alarm during a press conference held in Kano State.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Beirut Road Market, Alhaji Tanimu Lawal Sani, said phone dealers are yet to fully understand the framework of the policy being introduced by the commission and its implications for their businesses.
He noted that about 70 percent of phone dealers could lose their means of livelihood if the policy is implemented as planned, a situation that would worsen the unemployment crisis in the country.
He said they are not against any government policy aimed at bringing reform or development, but their major concern is what the new policy intends to achieve, what its objectives are, and why there is a rush in its implementation.
"It is difficult to gather 1,000 phone dealers and find one who understands what this policy is all about. Any policy that affects the general public should be properly communicated for people to understand it before implementation, because implementing it the way it is planned will displace many from their businesses," he said.
Alhaji Tanimu further explained that 70 to 75 percent of phones sold in the market are not locally registered and go a long distance in terms of sales, adding that if 70 percent of what people sell is cut off, many will lose their jobs completely.
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