Following widespread condemnation of the proposed imposition of a levy by MTN on subscribers to USSD access to banking services charges, the Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) to suspend the N4 per second imposed fee.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami gave the directive through a statement by his Media aide Uwa Suleiman on Sunday, 20th October 2019.
The Minister informed that MTN should stay action on the matter pending when he is properly briefed on it.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Communications has been drawn to the viral text message allegedly sent by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators notifying subscribers of an N4:00 charge per 20 seconds on USSD access to banking services from the 21st of October 2019".
He revealed that the Honorable Minister of Communications Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM is unaware of the development and has hereby directed the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensures the operator suspends such plans until he is fully and properly briefed on the subject.
