The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, has said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is yet to approve the implementation of the 50% tariff increase it announced for telecom operators.

Toriola, however, revealed that an increase in tariff will optimize service delivery because telecom operators will have available funds to operate and expand.

Speaking to Channels Television in Lagos, the MTN CEO said a proposal has been sent to the regulator for the implementation of the tariff raise.

He said, "We've made our submissions to the NCC and they've been going through them in all detail to ensure that it is fair to consumers and to ensure that no one has an undue competitive advantage and it will be approved in short order

"We are being held to task by the authorities on this. With improved cash flow as a result of tariff increases, it gives us the ability to invest, first of all in a constant supply of diesel and ensuring our sites are kept up.

"Second is expanding our network in areas where we have congestion and third is putting redundancy into place as well as customer management systems.

"We are expected by the authorities will do that within a matter of months and if we don't, we'll be held to account by them."

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its organs across the country to get set for a nationwide protest on February 4 against the tariff hike.

According to the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the tariff hike is coming at a time when Nigerians are being burdened with increases in fuel prices, inflation, rising food costs and increased taxation.

He said the protest would send a warning to others who might be considering enforcing unfavourable living conditions on Nigerians.