REPS ASK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUSPEND TARIFF HIKE APPROVAL FOR TELCOS

REPS ON TELCOS

The House of Representatives has asked the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to suspend the approval granted to Telecommunications Companies, TELCOS to increase tariff by 50 percent.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday following the approval of a motion of urgent public importance.

The motion was sponsored by Hon. Oboku Oforji, The Lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa state.

Moving the motion, Hon. Oforji said tariff approval is not justifiable as consumers are grappling with economic hardship and poor network service delivery.

Titled, ‘Need for the Nigerian Communications Commission not to approve the impending hike in the telecommunications tariffs,” Hon. Oforji, noted that TELCOS must improve their service delivery, and address the “poor network” before increasing their tariff.

According to Hon Oforji 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, hitting lower-income families the hardest.

Opposing the motion, Hon. Dominic Okafor from Anambra state, said a tariff hike is necessary for improved service delivery.

He said telecom companies should be allowed to raise tariffs, though not by as much as 50 percent.

Hon. Okafor’s position was however countered by Hon. Billy Osawaru, a federal lawmaker from Edo State, who called on the service providers to first improve the quality of their services before coming up with a hike in tariff.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House.

Subsequently, the House asked the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC to “suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improved.