The federal government has given instructions to network service providers to rescind a 10 percent rise in the prices of phone calls and data transfers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued a statement in which it urged the country’s telecom companies to reverse the recent price increases that had been implemented for both voice calls and data transfers.
Even though the tariff adjustment was suggested and temporarily authorized by the Management, awaiting the final approval of the Board of the Commission, in the end, it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission. This was despite the fact that the final approval was pending.
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As a direct consequence of this, it has been turned around,” reads the statement that was issued by the NCC and signed by Reuben Mouka, the organization’s spokesperson.
It was stated that the consideration for 10% approval for tariff adjustments for various voice and data packages was in line with the mandates of the Commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines.
As this was within the provisions of the existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry. Additionally, it was stated that this was in accordance with the mandates of the Commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on the other hand, stated that the decision was made after a critical and realistic review and analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, taking into account the fact that these factors have an effect on all areas of the economy.
However, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has stated that the objective of the government is to safeguard its citizens and guarantee justice for all parties concerned.
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In light of the information presented above, the Commission, in a letter dated the 12th of October 2022, issued an order to the Mobile Network Operators that were impacted, instructing them to roll back the upward adjustment to their tariffs.
In the statement, it was said that the Commission will conduct additional talks with all industry players on the best measures that will safeguard and maintain the interests of both the customers and the service providers.