By Emmanuel Kwada
The House of Representatives has called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in telecoms tariff, citing the economic hardship in the country. The lawmakers ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to suspend the tariff increase.
This comes as telecommunications operators began implementing the new tariff regime, with many subscribers observing a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data, and text messages. The NCC had approved the 50% tariff increase in January, citing the need to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
The new tariff regime, with many subscribers observing a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data, and text messages
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened an industrial action, demanding a reversal of the hike.
The economic crisis in Nigeria, following the removal of energy subsidies and the floating of the naira, has led to severe inflationary pressures, with petrol prices quadrupling and the naira taking a nosedive.
Read Also: MTN Shocks Subscribers with Tariff Hikes: 1.5TB Plan Now Costs N240,000
