Nigeria Lawmakers Demand Suspension Of 50% Telecom Tariff Hike
LAGOS FEBRUARY 12TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The House of Representatives has asked the MinisCommunications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the approval granted to telecommunications companies (telcos) for a 50% tariff increase.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had in January approved the tariff hike, marking the first adjustment since 2013.
Justifying the decision, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani said the increase would enable telcos to invest in infrastructure and improve connectivity.
However, while moving the motion, Oforji argued that the tariff hike was unjustifiable given the current economic hardship and poor network service.
“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,” he said.
He stressed that affordable connectivity was essential for key sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance.
According to him, informal sector workers who rely on mobile data to access gig work opportunities and small businesses dependent on affordable telecommunication for operations, marketing, and customer engagement would suffer the most.
“Imagine a scenario where a 10% increase is approved. It is estimated that a 10% increase in telecommunications costs would reduce small business profitability by up to 7%, potentially leading to the closure of businesses,” Oforji added.
Opposing the motion, Dominic Okafor, a lawmaker from Anambra State, argued that a tariff hike was necessary to improve service delivery. He, however, suggested that the increase should be lower than the proposed 50%
After a voice vote, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favor of the motion.
The House subsequently directed the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as well as the NCC, to suspend the tariff hike until service quality improves.
Boluwatife Enome
Arise TV News
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Posted by News Rangers
on Feb 12 2025. Filed under National.
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