Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Data price: Senate joins NCC against Nigerians

Prof. Umar Danbatta NCC Executive Vice Chairman

*Pains, suffering, exploitation donated to Nigerians for Christmas

By Sandra Onyekwere

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has acted in national interest on the issue of data price increase, the Senate Committee on Communications has concluded and so, the people of the nation can now groan under more severe economic misfortunes of bad service, exploitation and pains as their Christmas gift.

The Committee, which visited the NCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday as part of it oversight functions, said Nigerians should see the commission as being on their side on the issue of data price increase.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West) who spoke on behalf of the committee members, said the NCC had taken some commendable steps to sanitise the telecom industry and the data price hike was one of them.

He noted the roles played by the leadership of the NCC under Professor Umar Danbatta, especially the commission’s handling of the MTN’s N1.04 trillion fine and the recent outcry over the planned increase on data tariff, saying the NCC did not disappoint Nigerians.

“Each time we invited the leadership of the agency to the National Assembly, they honoured our invitation and responded to our inquiries, particularly during the MTN issue, and of recent the data price saga. They have acted in national interests and Nigerians see NCC as being on their side” Olamikan, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, said.

He urged the NCC to make details of its 2017 budget available on time to enable members go through and approve to avoid the delay occasioned by the 2016 budget.

He said the 8-point agenda unfolded by Professor Danbatta on assumption of office has turned around the telecom industry, urging him to build on the achievement in the years ahead.

However, while receiving members of the Committee, the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Danbatta, said unless the issues regarding the data price floor are resolved, it remains a whirlwind that would not do anybody any good.

Members of the Committee are Senator Gilbert Nnaji as Chairman and Senator Adeola Olamilekan as Vice Chairman. Others on the committee are Senators Abu Ibrahim, Joshua Dariye, Eyinnanya Aberibe, Isa Misau and Abiodun Olujimi.
with this latest development, the NCC may afterall roll out the killer price increase which some section of the nation see as a deliberate plan by the Federal Government to shut out Nigerians access to social media wherefrom they express and influence some unfriendly government policies. This may be the new year gift to the nation as some sources say the new rate may take effect from the new year.

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