By Adedapo Adesanya
An association representing the interest of telecommunication subscribers in Nigeria has rejected the 50 per cent tariff increase announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and has threatened legal action.
On Monday, the NCC approved a 50 per cent tariff increase for telecom operators in the country, the first since 2013.
The 50 per cent call was lower than the 100 per cent recommended by the other stakeholders, including the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which has members like MTN and Airtel.
Now in response, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has faulted the move, saying the 50 per cent was too high and called for another review.
The association’s president, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, said on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics, monitored by Business Post on Tuesday, that the body would approach the courts if there’s no reversal.
He noted that Nigerians are already bearing the brunt of a cost of living crisis, adding that the 50 per cent hike which was supposed to reprieve from the initial 100 per cent recommendation, was still not acceptable.
“It is not it at all. It is so much for subscribers to bear. Already, we are grappling with a lot of things that are surrounding the business climate here… fuel cost, electricity cost, and all that… you are now looking at telcos asking for 100 per cent and NCC now is granting them 50 per cent It is a no-no,” he said.
“We are definitely not going to accept this,” he declared.
The NCC, announcing the hike on Monday, said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
“…Over 100 per cent requested by some network operators was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024,” the announcement statement noted.