The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the recent 50% hike in telecommunication tariffs, citing the economic hardship faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
The decision was made following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Bayelsa State. Oforji argued that although telecom companies justified the hike due to rising operational costs and the need for better service delivery, Nigerians are already struggling to make ends meet.
“The far-reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty, and widen existing inequalities,” Oforji stated.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has also rejected the proposed tariff increase, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship and poor network service delivery.
While some lawmakers, like Dominic Okafor, justified the increment as necessary for service providers to improve their performances, others, like Billy Osawaru, countered that telecom companies must first improve their service delivery before increasing tariffs.
The House has urged the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy and the NCC to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improves.
