By Khadijah Aliyu
Following the recent policy by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on phone registration, the Association of Mobile Phones and Allied Products Traders of Nigeria (AMPAT) has called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of phone registration fees for 120 days to allow for consultations with stakeholders.
The association also called for transparency regarding the legal basis for the fees, an appeal mechanism for wrongly blocked phones and an end to what it described as threats against traders over the policy.
Speaking on the issue, the Kano State Chapter Chairman of AMPAT, Alhaji Sani Tasiu Ibrahim, said the association supports efforts to eliminate counterfeit and stolen phones from the Nigerian market.
He, however, expressed concern over the proposed charges, which he said range from about ₦670 for smaller phones to nearly ₦4,000 for larger devices.
According to him, the fees could increase the cost of affordable phones and impose additional financial burdens on traders and consumers, particularly low-income earners and students who depend on inexpensive devices.
Ibrahim questioned the legal basis for the charges and urged the NCC to publish the relevant regulations and fee schedule to clarify how the fees are imposed, collected and utilised.
He said the mobile phone trade contributes billions of naira to the national economy through customs duties, taxes and other commercial activities, while providing employment for young people, technicians, repairers, apprentices and other workers across the country.
The chairman warned that implementing the policy without adequate consultation could force small businesses to close, disrupt apprenticeship programmes and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the trade.
He stressed that AMPAT was not opposed to phone registration but wanted the policy implemented transparently and lawfully without undermining legitimate businesses.
Among its demands, the association called for a 120-day suspension of the fees and enforcement measures, the publication of the legal provisions backing the charges, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders before implementation.
It also demanded an accessible appeal process for phone owners whose devices are blocked in error, including cases arising from routine phone repairs.
Ibrahim further alleged that foreign companies might be seeking to undermine indigenous mobile phone marketers through the policy, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
He disclosed that the association had written to the NCC, petitioned the Senate and House of Representatives, and approached the Kano State Government in a bid to secure a resolution.
The chairman urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly and the Kano State Government to intervene, warning that a policy designed to combat counterfeit and stolen phones should not undermine traders dealing in legitimate devices.
He called for dialogue between the relevant authorities and industry stakeholders to ensure that phone registration objectives are achieved without causing avoidable economic hardship.
Editing By Godwin Duru
