The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the recent approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, saying it’s very insensitive to the plight of Nigerians who are already going through hardship amidst rising inflation.
The coalition argued that the move is totally indefensible given that many Nigerians are already finding it difficult to survive the rising cost of living due to the hyperinflation in the country.
Henzodaily recalls the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday, granted approval for telecommunications companies to increase their tariffs by a maximum of 50%.
The commission explained that the increase is to enable operators cover operating costs and ensure better service delivery.
The tariff hike will see the cost of calls rise from N11 to N16.50 per minute, SMS rates increase from N4 to N6, and data prices surge from N350 to N431.25 per gigabyte.
However, the CNG, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, rejected the expected hike, saying it is an assault on the dignity and livelihood of Nigerians.
He noted that the government is insensitive to the suffering Nigerians are already going through as a result of economic difficulties.
Charanchi said: “The CNG totally and unequivocally rejects the recent astronomical 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country as sanctioned by the NCC.
“The CNG avers that this decision, coming at a time when Nigerians are reeling in immense economic hardship, is nothing short of an assault on the dignity and livelihoods of the people that have been economically pauperized.
“We are appalled by the insensitivity and lack of foresight demonstrated by the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications in approving such an exorbitant tariff hike.
“The CNG observes that at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet due to hyper-inflation, rising unemployment, and the pervasive effects of economic mismanagement, this decision is utterly indefensible.
“It is unjustifiable for the NCC to cite operational cost increases and industry sustainability as reasons for the increase devoid of considering the current economic realities bequeathed to ordinary Nigerians.”
The coalition added that the move is very unrealistic as it represents a misrepresentation of the people’s plight, arguing that millions of struggling telecom consumers were not part of the consultation before the increase was approved.
The CNG said telecommunication services should not be seen as a luxury, but a necessity for survival and, therefore, called for the immediate suspension of the tariff hikes.
“By approving this hike, we contend, the NCC has jeopardized access to communication, education, healthcare, and commerce for the average Nigerian and further expanded the frontiers of the digital divide in the country ,” the CNG said.
The group recommended a maximum of 10% increase in tariff, which it says aligns with the economic realities in the country.