Telecommunications operators on Thursday disclosed that the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debts owed them by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have now hit #200 billion.

Speaking under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the body said the debt must be paid in total and would not hesitate blocking debtor banks from accessing the service.

ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, stated this during a stakeholders meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida in Lagos.

Adebayo said despite all appeals, meetings and interventions by CBN and NCC, the bank has kept mute over payment.

The ALTON boss said the value of the debt would keep rising based on the fluctuating foreign exchange challenges in the country.