By Kingston Magare
Mobile telecoms operators in Nigeria are set to hike their tariffs by 50 percent after the Nigerian Communications Commission approved the increase.
NCC director of public affairs Reuben Muoka said in a statement Tuesday that the 50 percent hike was lower than the 100 percent the operators had demanded in face of prevailing market conditions.
“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised”, the statement said.
He added that the NCC recognizes that times are hard for Nigerians but there was need to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring the telecoms industry survive.
“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments. To this end, the Commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery.
Meanwhile, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network president, Olu Omatayo, said there was no justification for the increase.
“There is no justification for that now especially when Nigerians are still grappling with the current economic hardship. I feel the government ought to have thrown the debate open, even to the grass-roots so that the general opinion of the people should prevail before going ahead with the increase.
“As we speak, the price of petrol has gone up again; the cost of electricity is high; and now telecom services, all have gone beyond the reach of the masses,” he said.
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