Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation has called on the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately share with Nigerians a comprehensive framework for ensuring telcos provide Nigerians with world class service following the 50% hike in telecoms tariffs.
The Executive Director, Armsfree Ajanaku, in a press statement insisted that only a service-driven approach can birth a telecoms industry that will drive Nigeria’s economic development, and not the arbitrary profiteering of a few telecom giants.
He said the hike from the industry regulator was announced without due consideration of the current excruciating economic burdens Nigerians are facing.
“It is quite disheartening that the NCC succumbed to the pressure of the telecommunications companies, whose epileptic and unreliable services, have over the years, left Nigerians and their businesses in constant frustration.
“From dropped calls to internet downtime and glitches, Nigerians have continued to endure terrible services, while the regulatory body turns a blind eye.
“Looking at the NCC’s argument justifying the tariff hike, the emphasis was on the notion that “the tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing cost of operation faced by telecom operators,” he said.