Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), said it has totally and unequivocally rejected the recent astronomical 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs in the country as sanctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
National coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, averred 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.
The group said it was 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.
According to the Coalition, 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 group argued that the assertion that the decision followed “extensive consultations” with stakeholders is complete misrepresentation of reality as certainly the millions of struggling telecom consumers were not part of the consultation.
The CNG opined that in the modern age telecommunication services are not a luxury but are a necessity for survival and economic participation in the global digital world. “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,” it said.
The CNG therefore called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in the tariffs and recommend instead a more reasonable adjustment of a maximum of 10%, which balances industry sustainability with the current economic realities in Nigeria.
It also demanded that the NCC engage in genuine, inclusive consultations with consumer advocacy groups, civil society organizations, and other grassroots stakeholders before implementing any tariff adjustments.
It said the NCC and the Ministry leadership have proven to protect their personal interests and have become insensitive to the plight of Nigerians. “Therefore, we call for the resignation or immediate dismissal of the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC and the Minister of Communications for their failure to prioritize the welfare of Nigerian citizens over corporate and personal interests,” it said.
The CNG observed that the telecom operators have been shortchanging Nigerians for years through ineffective, inefficient and weakened services that translate into failed calls, undelivered text messages and wasted data subscriptions but with full charges deducted from the subscribers.
“Yet, the NCC has never deemed it expedient to sanction or stop the exploitation and deprivation of Nigerians but now hurriedly accepted the rooftop increase of the tariffs to the detriment of consumers. This is absolutely unacceptable and totally condemnable.
“The CNG enjoins Nigerians to join hands and resist this desperate and wicked collaboration between public officials that are supposed to serve as regulators that preserve public interest and profit-sucking extreme capitalists that are determined to fleece through the sweat of Nigerians,” the group said.
It said the federal government must recognize that any policy that worsens the people’s economic hardship is counterproductive and unsustainably dangerous to all, as Nigerians are already being pushed to the extreme.
“It is a fact that the telecommunications sector is pivotal to Nigeria’s digital economy, but its growth must not come at the expense of the people. It is imperative to adopt a balanced approach that fosters industry innovation and sustainability without alienating or impoverishing consumers,” it added.
The CNG called on all Nigerians, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to stand firm against this exploitative decision and work collectively to demand its reversal and ensure only policies that uplift, rather than oppress, the people are condoned.
