Senate pledges to intervene in plans to increase cost of data
In reaction to the NCC directive, MTN has started sending
out bulk messages to its subscribers alerting them of the planned
increase. The text message read: “Dear customer, please be informed
that from 1st Dec, some MTN data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC to operators. Thank you.”
Sources indicate that the new rate could see subscribers of
MTN, GLO, AIRTEL & Etisalat paying as much as N1000 for 500
megabytes instead of the 1 gigabyte, 1.5 gigabytes or 2 gigabytes they
currently get, depending on the network.
There could be charges for other telecom services in the
country in order to meet the reported proposition by Godwin Emefiele,
the Central Bank Governor, for a tax from mobile phone users in the
country as part of efforts to address the economic recession.
Many subscribers who reacted to the issue via their twitter
handles wondered why NCC would seek to bring more hardship on Nigerians
who are battling to survive the economic recession. They called on
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to stop the draconian directive by NCC.
The Senate President in a short message on his Twitter handle has promised that the Senate would intervene.
Senator Shehu Sani was among those who condemned the
planned increase. “At a time telecom companies are still making billions
in profits despite the recession, increasing tariff on data services is
simply about extorting more from the people for data after paying more
for electricity,” Senator Sani wrote.
Henry Ezeanya wrote: “can you people kindly look into the
NCC's hike in data charges. Market force bringing prices down, but NCC
wants it up..”
Seyi Benz: “they want to gag us by increasing tariff so we can't come online n harangue them on bad governance. It's a ploy.”
Judith Hanrankis : “sir, am a student that still manage to
subscribe with 1500 for my assignments, pls I can’t afford this NCC new
rate,do something”.
David Olar tweeted: “Pls #SaveOurSoul @bukolasaraki Call
Tariffs should be cheaper @NgComCommission can not be acting a script of
incompetent.”
Olumide: “still wondering how people in NIGauthority think, other countries: almost free wifi, Nigerian govt. data4d rich”.
Umar. S: “Pls sir, don’t let them hike it. Nigerians are already feeling the heat.”
Nwachukwu Ugochukwu: We trust you to act fast on this as usual. Thanks Mr President.
Kazzem Mossa Tijani: “Enough of these extortions. Salary is
not increased. Salary is not regular and everything is just going up.
What a country. It seems NCC is not experiencing recession. God save us
from these heartless people.”
Olushola Olufolabi: “cheap cost of reliable communication
enables good business, good business translates to good economy growth”
In a short reply to the numerous tweets, Saraki confirmed
that the Senate will look into the data tariff increase. “Will do”, the
Senate President said.
