Arewa Youths Back NCC’s Approval Of 50% Hike In Tariff

The Arewa Youth Assembly said it supports the move by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to approve a 50 per cent hike in tariff which was requested by telecommunications operators.

The group hinged its support on the economic benefits and how tariff raises will impact telecom infrastructure.

In a statement shared with THE WHISTLER on Thursday, the Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami insisted that the review of telecommunication tariffs is long overdue and has become necessary.

Danlami said, “The telecommunication sector, which employs millions of Nigerians directly and is responsible for powering other sectors of the country, is the only sector that has maintained the status quo in terms of the price of its services despite the skyrocketing prices of basic requirements for its operations, such as diesel, power, and even manpower costs.

“The industry was near the point of collapse. The global rise in inflation and rise in the cost of its operation, coupled with foreign exchange high costs plus increased network maintenance expenses, was rendering telecommunication companies ineffective in delivering services to Nigerians.

“No serious regulator that understands the need for prices to be market reflective would have folded its arms to allow such a collapse.”

Danlami explained that the tariff adjustment was a fundamental decision that had to be taken to preserve the industry and its impact on the wider economy.

On the benefit, the speaker said, “This tariff adjustment will help the operators to purchase new equipment to enhance the country’s telecommunication infrastructure.

“It would also reenergise the sector in a way that would lead to a surge in investments. This will ultimately translate to improved network quality, expanded access and a better experience for consumers.

“We at the Arewa Youth Assembly are hopeful that the sector will grow beyond expectations, creating more opportunities for our people to get jobs in telecoms.

“It is ironic that those complaining of tariff increase are the same ones who are complaining of poor service delivery. They are unaware that telecommunication companies cannot improve their infrastructure to meet growing demand without having cost-reflective prices. To address Quality of Service problems, they need a new injection of funds.”

Arewa Youth said the review provides the opportunity for the NCC to insist on fairness, transparency, and accountability in the telecommunications sector.

Arewa Youths Back NCC’s Approval Of 50% Hike In Tariff is first published on The Whistler Newspaper