Nigerian Senate Summons Minister of Communication, NCC & Service Providers Over Data Price Increase

Forum 7 years ago

Nigerian Senate Summons Minister of Communication, NCC & Service Providers Over Data Price Increase

According to a report by Punch, the Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunication service providers to appear before its Committee on Communications over the reported planned increment of mobile telecommunication data tariffs.

The Senate, during the plenary on Wednesday, mandated its Committee on Communications to start a comprehensive probe into the matter.

The resolutions were based a motion moved by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, who condemned the planned hike in data tariffs, saying it would further impoverish the people.

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West), described the policy as “unholy” and “unfriendly,” adding that the committee would look into the matter and report back to the chamber next Tuesday.

Olamilekan said, “We are up to the task and I can assure the Senate that we will swing into action immediately. We will invite all the necessary agencies that are involved in this policy that is unholy and unfriendly and get back to the Senate unfailingly on Tuesday.”

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, accused the NCC of failing to carry out enough consultations before announcing the policy. He asked the committee to also investigate allegations of non-compliance with regulations for the telecoms operators.