Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang and officials of the Plateau State Government have vowed to boycott patronage of the mobile telephone company, MTN, to protest against the closure of MTN call centres in Jos.

The government is also asking Plateau State citizens at home and in the Diaspora to switch to other telephone service providers.

The decision was reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Jang on Wednesday.

Communications Network Support Services, which is outsourcing business for MTN had, on Tuesday, said it was closing shop in Jos because of the prevailing security situations in the state.

But a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, in Jos on Thursday said the reasons were not convincing.

The statement said, “The reasons advanced for the closure of the MTN Jos call centre smacks of a grand design to deceive unsuspecting members of the public about the real motives for such a quaintly decision. It seems more reasonable to presume that the insecurity hypothesis is being bandied about as an afterthought. It needs to be placed on record that the security challenges that befell Plateau State predated the setting up of the MTN call centres in Jos in July 2012.

“MTN is not the only service provider and the obvious option for Plateau citizens is to have rescinded to alternative GSM services. If the state is not good enough to house an MTN Call Centre, then its citizens do not necessarily have to patronise MTN as a service provider.”

Reacting to the development, Project Manager of Communication Network Support Services, Mr. Adebowale Ajijah, said, “It is all well and good if it’s their decision.

“We are not fighting with government. All we are saying is that our business is under threat and we cannot continue in that environment.

“We have no business with government and government has no business with us. We are in business, we are not political parties. When all these problems started, government did not intervene and for them to now take this decision is unfortunate.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/plateau-protests-closure-of-jos-telecom-office/

The state government is not being realistic. They should know that many businesses will pack out of the state because of insecurity problems. In addition, new ones won't come. As the insecurity continues, they should expect the trend to continue.

They should address the fundamental problem of insecurity of lives and properties in the state, which have continued unabated for years, rather than spend time attacking MTN.

Pukkah: The state government is not being realistic. They should know that many businesses will pack out of the state because of insecurity problems. In addition, new ones won't come. As the insecurity continues, they should expect the trend to continue.

They should address the fundamental problem of insecurity of lives and properties in the state, which have continued unabated for years, rather than spend time attacking MTN.

AND IN THE MEAN TIME MTN SHOULD EXPLOIT NIGERIAN WORKERS RIGHT?

torkaka:
AND IN THE MEAN TIME MTN SHOULD EXPLOIT NIGERIAN WORKERS RIGHT?

How is MTN doing that?

Pukkah:

How is MTN doing that?

MTN contracted to CNSSL right? CNSSL is exploiting call centre workers in jos by paying them 42k while those in kaduna,abuja,lagos & co get paid 85kh1 do the mat

torkaka:

MTN contracted to CNSSL right? CNSSL is exploiting call centre workers in jos by paying them 42k while those in kaduna,abuja,lagos & co get paid 85kh1 do the mat

ur chatting shit!

Fix the security problem and MTN has no choice. Not to mention other companies that will come to invest.

The stupid govt is chasing a red herring here. Rather than focus on the main issue, they prefer to give MTN a bad name. silly

All in one... One in all.... I hate m.t.n...... Up airtel

The directive from the plateau state govt wont affect MTN adversely. If they really want 2 get at MTN, they should start by revoking the C of O's of their base stations in the state for 'security reasons' also .

torkaka:

MTN contracted to CNSSL right? CNSSL is exploiting call centre workers in jos by paying them 42k while those in kaduna,abuja,lagos & co get paid 85kh1 do the mat

What has this got to do with the subject under discussion? By the way, do you want Jos-based employees to collect the same salary as their counterparts in Lagos and Abuja?

I lov wat d Govt is doin nw, we hv expectd it 4 a long time. Why shud Mtn treat their staff in Jos as slaves, payin dem low, dnt alow dem hav union as other branches do, sack staff anytim d wnt?

So businesses can not leave locations where there are security issues again?

Man-of-God:
I lov wat d Govt is doin nw, we hv expectd it 4 a long time. Why shud Mtn treat their staff in Jos as slaves, payin dem low, dnt alow dem hav union as other branches do, sack staff anytim d wnt?

The staff in Jos call center are not directly employed by MTN. Their jobs is outsourced. Mind you, the terms and conditions of service where clearly stated in their letters and they accepted it. So what are you talking about?

Our politicians and our leaders hates hearing the truth.it kind of affect dem psycologically.

I have noticed that all the people commenting here didn't get it at all! CNSSL did not close down their operation in Jos bcs of any security threat rather they went out bcs the are not ready to do the right thing. What I mean is that there had been an issue of salary struggles bw CNSSL ans their workerz since march this year. The problem led to the workers embarking on strike since the first of may (ie for the past 3months) and talks have been going on, but @last the CNSSL decided and vowed that they cannot pay Jos staff the same thing they are paying their Kadunna and Kano counterpart. Them coming out and telling the world that they are closing down operations in Jos due to security threats, is a big lie. Let me ask them, if it's bcs of security threats as they claimed, why is their connect stores located in same Jos not packing up as well. Again, is kano and kaduna not having the same security issues? Lets learn to be telling ourselves the truth in this country.

ogalanya: The directive from the plateau state govt wont affect MTN adversely. If they really get at MTN, they should start by revoking the C of O's of their base stations in the state for 'security reasons' also .

And if they go ahead and do that it would amount to shooting one's self in the foot. Such a move would only succeed in scaring away potential investors, nobody will want to put their money in a state that purposely shuts down company premises just to spite the companies.

the government of plateau should sort out their security issues and stop being silly.

MTN/CNSSL is just lookin 4 flimsy excuse, all of a sudden dey discovery Jos has security problem. So y hasn't other company left jos if d security issue was that bad. I stay in jos and cnssl call center is located in a very safe zone, so pls look 4 sometin better 2 cover up ur lies and leave Security out of this.

CNSSL pay ur staffs its a very simple fin. Remember Pride/ greed comes b4 a greet fall. Even d staffs u trained in Feb. u've not paid them there training allowance yet. what a GREED. Beware, Bewarned, Don't fall a victim.

rman:

The staff in Jos call center are not directly employed by MTN. Their jobs is outsourced. Mind you, the terms and conditions of service where clearly stated in their letters and they accepted it. So what are you talking about?

Yes, they were not directly employed by MTN, but it's same CNSSL that is seeing the welfare of other call centers like kano, kaduna, Ilorin and Lagos still controls that os Jos. Why are they paying those in Jos far lesser than those in other branches? Those guys are ingrates, bcs of the name they made in Jos gave them the contracts of other locations and still they do not appreciate that.

CNSSL paid their jos staff 37k for 2yrs while lagos, kad and kano reps got over eighty thousand and you pple consider that fair?! Haba!

When reps protested with the support of NLC in April, salaries were reviewed to 45k with a promise of further negotiation bfr May ran out. These slave masters now rescinded and said negotiations will only hold in july, when staff threatened them with strike, union reps were threatend with soldiers, guns and suspension letters, but thankfully, they stood their ground and dared mgt to do their worse...mgt had no option but to let them go.

Strike began in May, reps picket the ofis daily since then, mgt ignored staff untill they couldnt anymore then called for negotiations about a month ago. There was an upward review which still wasnt good enough and union rejected the offer asking for harmonisation with staff in oda locations. When mgt realised that staff were srz about not resumin until salaries were harmonised, they terminated all staff's appointment under the guise of *redundancy*

Union took the matter to plateau state house of Ass who asked mgt to bring their MOU with MTN for scrutiny it was at this point that mgt called for negotiation

If CNSSL doesnt have anytin to hide, why lie to the public that its insecurity that informed their decision to close shop and not their greed and slavery!

Pukkah: The state government is not being realistic. They should know that many businesses will pack out of the state because of insecurity problems. In addition, new ones won't come. As the insecurity continues, they should expect the trend to continue.

They should address the fundamental problem of insecurity of lives and properties in the state, which have continued unabated for years, rather than spend time attacking MTN.

it really, really saddens my hrt that most of us have failed to look behind the curtains! u knew dat for 3 mnths, they v had issues with deir staff based on salaries and welfare! These guys are just using 'security threat' as an excuse 2 render these poor guys unemployed! Normally, if they close shop shldnt d staff be transferred 2 call centers located elsewhere?

Pls answer this question! WHY HASNT MTN CLOSED IT CC @ KANO ND KADUNA? Pls, i await a response! Pls!!!!!!!!

If I had a relative in Jos, I would disown him if he does not leave that God forsaken place. Place where government could not save its own officials from being killed? The governor should think of how to make Jos peaceful again and rein in all those killing innocent people and destroying properties.

Tokotaya: If I had a relative in Jos, I would disown him if he does not leave that God forsaken place. Place where government could not save its own officials from being killed? The governor should think of how to make Jos peaceful again and rein in all those killing innocent people and destroying properties.

Oga, d same way some1 living in ghana wld say 'i wld disown any of my family members living in nigeria'. d mere fact dat a part of a country or a state is conflict-ridden doesnt mean d WHOLE part is affected!

Haba, didnt we do philosophy & logic again? GST 102?

confused politicians

kayswag100:


it really, really saddens my hrt that most of us have failed to look behind the curtains! u knew dat for 3 mnths, they v had issues with deir staff based on salaries and welfare! These guys are just using 'security threat' as an excuse 2 render these poor guys unemployed! Normally, if they close shop shldnt d staff be transferred 2 call centers located elsewhere?

Pls answer this question! WHY HASNT MTN CLOSED IT CC @ KANO ND KADUNA? Pls, i await a response! Pls!!!!!!!!

MTN is a private company and it is free to open or close its branches anywhere. The company is even free to shut down its operations in Nigeria and leave entirely. Quit this whining and victim mentality.

naanmin: CNSSL paid their jos staff 37k for 2yrs while lagos, kad and kano reps got over eighty thousand and you pple consider that fair?! Haba!

When reps protested with the support of NLC in April, salaries were reviewed to 45k with a promise of further negotiation bfr May ran out. These slave masters now rescinded and said negotiations will only hold in july, when staff threatened them with strike, union reps were threatend with soldiers, guns and suspension letters, but thankfully, they stood their ground and dared mgt to do their worse...mgt had no option but to let them go.

Strike began in May, reps picket the ofis daily since then, mgt ignored staff untill they couldnt anymore then called for negotiations about a month ago. There was an upward review which still wasnt good enough and union rejected the offer asking for harmonisation with staff in oda locations. When mgt realised that staff were srz about not resumin until salaries were harmonised, they terminated all staff's appointment under the guise of *redundancy*

Union took the matter to plateau state house of Ass who asked mgt to bring their MOU with MTN for scrutiny it was at this point that mgt called for negotiation

If CNSSL doesnt have anytin to hide, why lie to the public that its insecurity that informed their decision to close shop and not their greed and slavery!

Is MTN the only company with the poorest pay in Jos? Why was MTN the only one picketed?

Pukkah:

MTN is a private company and it is free to open or close its branches anywhere. The company is even free to shut down its operations in Nigeria and leave entirely. Quit this whining and victim mentality.

oga, u never still answer my question o! No ody said they r nt free 2 close their business anywhere!

Pls stay on point! I JUST ASKED : IF THEY ARE STATING INSECURITY AS D MAIN DRIVE Y HASNT KANO OR KD CC CLOSED AS WELL?

U argued that security was d main cause!

If fire never touch person, e nor go knw as e hot reach! Mcheeeeeeeew!!!!

Pukkah:

Is MTN the only company with the poorest pay in Jos? Why was MTN the only one picketed?

The staffs laid a complain that's why It's picketed? And nobody is arguing weda MTN has the right to close down any of their offices anytime they want but, if they are doing so, they should be bold enough to tell the world the truth behind such closure. Not hiding under unfound reasons.

@Pukkah re-read my post and place it side by side with CNSSL's statement/press release then come back and ask your question again

[quote author=Pukkah]

What has this got to do with the subject under discussion? By the way, do you want Jos-based employees to collect the same salary as their counterparts in Lagos and Abuja? It has everything to with the subject, its just a cover up by mtn to hide their exploitativeness that has been exposed. They are making more Nigerians jobless and dts not good.

Reacting to the development, Project Manager of Communication Network Support Services, Mr. Adebowale Ajijah, said, “It is all well and good if it’s their decision.

“We are not fighting with government. All we are saying is that our business is under threat and we cannot continue in that environment.

“We have no business with government and government has no business with us. We are in business, we are not political parties. When all these problems started, government did not intervene and for them to now take this decision is unfortunate.

...in other words, we are not sorry?

They are slave masterz