MTN & Orange Cameroon will come face-to-face with history if their arrogance continues – Opinion

By Ayah Ayah Abine

Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Mimi Mefo Info. 

In the Beginning, was the POST OFFICE.

They were with the people and they were the people. Embraced by all, for we had no choice, depending on them for everything from communication to money transfers.

When they came to the awareness that they had monopolized the entire market Nationwide, they ‘declared’ themselves INDISPENSABLY UNTOUCHABLE, grew arrogant, and wore wings.

Then, transport agencies rose to the challenge and provided an alternative, with Guarantee Express championing the lot, carrying our monies and communications to our loved ones ‘nationwide’. But when they too came to the understanding that they were the new gurus in the domain, they equally grew extremely arrogant with clients, indirectly declaring themselves UNTOUCHABLY INDISPENSABLE.

That was until Express Union showed up with the great revolution, putting an end to the arrogance of this service provided to us by public transport agencies.

Then, we all adhered to Express Union, entirely embracing their revolution, and raising them to the top. But when they seized the entire market, they too, seeing there was no rival alternative, grew extremely arrogant with clients, indirectly declaring themselves UNTOUCHABLY INDISPENSABLE, until Express Exchange showed up.

Then we moved to Express Exchange, gladly embracing the competition and alternatives they provided. They never grew arrogant at any point, but as they were picking up, MTN & ORANGE brought in the new dimension E-money option (Momo & OM), while at the same time, beating the bureaucratic laziness of CAMTEL (their supplier) with mobile networking, alongside its auxiliary services.

Then WE ALL gladly aligned with them, crumbling all other rivals vis-à-vis the services they provided. But now, they too have the belief they’re INDISPENSABLY UNTOUCHABLE, playing with their clients and resisting change.

The Multinationals have not studied the history of it all very well. They forget that the Customer is King and so remains.

I wish they could revisit history to enable them to understand that no businessperson wages war against the customer and wins. Like the post office, then the transport agencies of old, and then Express Union who succeeded them, and now them (the Multinationals) it’s just a matter of time before HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF ONCE AGAIN.

AS IT ALWAYS DOES IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME!