The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a pan-African students’ group, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecom companies to reverse the 50% hike in tariffs announced on Monday – yesterday, January 20 – by the Commission.
In a statement Tuesday – today, January 21 – in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, President of PSM, Bestman Okereafor described the 50% tariff hike as “unjustifiable, untimely, and insensitive,” stating the group’s total rejection of the “anti-masses” policy.
Urging the NCC and telecommunications companies to review and reverse their decision as a matter of urgency, PSM’s Okereafor stressed: “The attention of PSM has been drawn to NCC’s approval of telecom operators’ 50 percent tariff increment.
“It will be recalled that telecom operators had previously demanded to adjust their tariff rate, a request which many Nigerians, especially Nigerian students, frowned upon.
“Information at our disposal shows that the NCC approved the telecom companies’ request in response to rising operational costs, to the detriment of Nigerians and the obvious economic realities facing the country.
“However, this development, which allows for a maximum of 50 percent adjustment to current tariffs, was announced in a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, on Monday, Jan. 20.”
Okereafor warned that the entire students’ bodies would protest this “abnormal and inconsiderate” 50% tariff increment if it is not reviewed within 72 hours.
