Following text messages di
recting subscribers nationwide to visit its shops to update their SIMs registration, hundreds of angry subscribers on Thursday besieged MTN offices in Abuja for the exercise.
The Tide learnt that although the subscribers, mostly workers and businessmen, have abandoned their duty posts for the registration, the exercise was very slow due to faulty machines or network problems.
In some of the centres where the exercise was ongoing, the numbers of machines used were insufficient compared to the crowd impatiently waiting for their turns.
The Tide investigation recalled that some of the subscribers, who were at the outlets for the update, complained that they were registering their SIMs for the third or fourth times.
At MTN main office at Phase 4 in Kubwa, the road leading to the building was blocked by subscribers that besieged the building for the exercise as early as 8 a.m.
Only four machines were provided at MTN New Dawn shop, Mercy Plaza, Kubwa, in spite of the crowd at the premises.
“We registered only 50 lines on Wednesday due to inadequate number of machines coupled with epileptic network. We are expecting to register more today,’’ one of the officers who requested anonymity at the outlet said.
At MTN registration point, Phase 3, Kubwa, the only machines provided was faulty, while the crowd at the registration point at A Class Park, Wuse 2, was overwhelming.
The situation was not different at other registration centres in the Federal capital territory as many who expected smooth conduct of the exercise were frustrated leaving some with no option than to consider switching to other service providers if their SIMs are blocked.
The MTN had recently sent text messages to its subscribers, directing them to visit its outlets to update their SIMS to meet NCC standard.
“Dear customer, please visit any of the registration point near you from Dec. 26 with valid ID card to update your finger print and picture to NCC standard.
“You have been compensated with N20, 000 valid for 7 days. To activate, please visit any MTN registration outlet to update your biometrics. Dial *559*40# to check.
“Dear customer, this SMS gives you priority access to all MTN shops. Please display it at any MTN shops entrance for express service. Thank you,’’ some of the messages sent to subscribers read.
Mr Haruna Mohammed, one of the subscribers, observed that MTN had not made provision for the physically challenged, pregnant women and others in spite of their numerous messages sent out before the take off of the exercise.
“They should prepare well for the exercise. They should not expect people to spend the whole day waiting for registration,’’ another subscriber, Ibrahim Garba said.
The Tide reports that MTN started another round of SIM cards registration in the country following a fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for having 1.5 million unregistered SIMs in its network.