Telecom tariff hike sparks concerns among yenagoa residents.

The recent approved 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs by the Federal Government has raised widespread concerns, with residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, expressing fears that the hike could worsen the ongoing economic hardship.

Speaking to Bomolaemi Alakeme, Golden FM correspondent, Miss Jessica Whyte, said that the increase comes at a challenging time when many Nigerians are struggling to survive.

She however suggested that the government should assist telecom companies by offsetting some operational debts, adding that such action could reduce the hike to a more manageable range of 20 to 30 percent.

Mr. Mac Caesar, another resident, believes that the tariff hike is partly due to Nigeria’s energy challenges, which forces telecom companies to rely heavily on diesel generators to maintain 24-hour services.

While acknowledging the necessity of some adjustment, he described the 50 percent increase as excessive and unrealistic given the country’s current economic conditions.

Mr. Caesar urged the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to mitigate the effects of the tariff hike by addressing critical issues such as poor power supply and the unstable dollar rate.