By Abubakarr Harding
Series of investigations conducted by this medium have revealed that as a result of the increase in operational and management costs, Mobile or GSM Companies are now on the verge of laying off over five hundred staff working in the telecommunications sector.
It must be noted that the telecommunications sector provides employment for many especially young people and it is the leading private sector employer.
For now there is widespread fear that if action is not taken swiftly to address the difficult constraints that these telecommunications companies are going through at the moment, in terms of operational costs, such will add to the existing number of unemployed young people in the country.
It is worthy of note that the telecommunication sector , through the rolling out of its Corporate Social Responsibility ,has supported very worthy causes or funded various development projects. They have supported education, sport, financial inclusion, media, trade, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and lots more.
Significantly, it is important to note that over the years, the telecommunication sector has helped the Government of Sierra Leone in achieving key development deliverables in meeting the needs of the people.
At this crucial juncture, it is important to note that in order to avert any untoward breakdown in telecommunication services in the country it is but highly important for the necessary stakeholders within the sector to come together and chart an amicable way forward. Such is necessary against the backdrop that the telecommunications companies cannot continue to incur huge operational costs without getting in return the expected profits.
On the other hand the Government is trying very hard to protect the interests of the masses against any form of increase in the prices of data but the reality of the situation is that the telecommunications companies are business entities with the aim of maximizing profits and not charitable organizations that dish out handouts.
At this turbulent time for all mobile companies in the country, it is worth mentioning that it is expedient for the regulatory body, the Ministry of Information and Communication and other Ministries and Agencies that are concerned to put hands on deck and salvage the challenges that these network service providers are facing in the country.
Our investigations further indicated that, the special charges levied on mobile service operators on petroleum products and the astronomical rise of the foreign exchange rate as against the leones have posed major challenges for all mobile service operators in the country.
The current foreign exchange rate, particularly the dollar which is the most popular currency in Sierra Leone, has toppled the Leones in an unimaginable manner and has adversely affected all mobile service operators in the country. It is no fun that the astronomical rise of the dollar as against the Leones has badly hit the telecommunication sector of the country.
Our sources are also concerned that if things do not change most of the mobile service operators will lay-off some staff until things return to normal.
