The Nigerian Communications Commission, the country’s telecommunication regulator has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja for Thursday to discuss the proposed 100 per cent tariff hike in the telecom sector.
The meeting will bring together representatives from major consumer advocacy groups and other relevant industry stakeholders to deliberate on the implications of the price increase.
President of the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, Adeolu Ogungbanjo, who has been a major critic of the proposal, confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
“I had mentioned earlier that there is a need for the NCC to discuss and iron out the issue. But Yesterday, I was invited to the meeting and it will be held on Thursday in Abuja at 2 pm,” Ogungbanjo stated.
Telcos have submitted a proposal to the regulator, requesting a 100 per cent hike in telecom tariffs. The proposal is currently awaiting the final nod from the NCC, which has yet to decide on the matter.
The operators, a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy argued that this hike is necessary to offset rising operational costs, including increasing fuel prices and the depreciation of the naira.
The proposal has sparked concern among consumer rights groups, including the NATCOMS, which fear that such an increase could further strain Nigeria’s already financially burdened population.
The President of the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, Sola Ajulo, further confirmed the scheduled meeting during an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday.
Ajulo emphasised that the discussions are critical for shaping the future of telecom pricing in the country.
“It’s crucial that all stakeholders are present and agree on the terms, as this will determine whether the government will approve a price increase and under what conditions,” she stated.
Ajulo noted that a price increase may be inevitable, given the economic challenges facing the sector. However, she stressed that it is essential to ensure that the terms of any increase are measured and conducive to the welfare of consumers, especially in light of Nigeria’s current economic difficulties.
“A 100 per cent or even a 40 per cent increase may be too steep. Easing the tariff increase with measurable conditions could be a more reasonable solution,” Ajulo suggested.
The PUNCH reported earlier that mobile operators have agreed to channel the revenue from the proposed 100 percent tariff increase into major upgrades in network infrastructure and service quality.
This is a major condition for the telcos as they await final approval for the tariff hike, following discussions with the government and the NCC.
As part of the agreement, the country’s telecom regulator will oversee the implementation of these investments to ensure that telecom companies comply with the requirements.
(PUNCH)