Telecom subscribers, FG heading for collision as NCC approves 50% tariff  hike – Newstrends
Connect with us

Business

Telecom subscribers, FG heading for collision as NCC approves 50% tariff  hike

Published

3 months ago

on

Telecom subscribers, FG heading for collision as NCC approves 50% tariff  hike

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday announced a 50 per cent increase in tariff of services rendered by telecommunications companies (telcos) including calls and data use.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.

But the subscribers, under the umbrella body of Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria) said the government had no power to fix prices in a liberalised market.
The NCC said the approval was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
The telecos had asked for approval for 100 percent increase owing to what they called unbearable cost of operation.
The regulator concurred the increase in tariff was in response to prevailing market conditions.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” the commission said.
It further stated, “These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews.
“It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.
“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators.
“The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.”

The ATCIS-Nigeria said the Federal Government should not fix prices in a liberalised market.

The body, in a statement by its National Chairman, Sina Bilesanmi, said tariff hike was not one of the issues agreed at the last meeting with the regulator in Abuja.

Bilesanmi described telecoms sector pricing as a delicate area, and that the NCC should employ consultants to do data-based empirical cost analysis.

He said, “At the end of the meetings, we were expected to communicate an equilibrium price (a fair price agreeable to all) to the NCC for final approval,” adding that “any tariff hike will do more harm than good to the subscribers at a time they are struggling to cope.”

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Business

I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

Published

2 days ago

on

April 25, 2025

By

Africa’s richest man and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote

I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

President and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed gratitude following his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, a global initiative aimed at accelerating private investment and job creation in emerging economies.

In a statement confirming the development, Dangote described the appointment as both an honour and a reflection of his long-standing commitment to economic development through private enterprise.

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said.

“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies.”

He referenced the successes of the so-called Asian Tigers, economies that experienced rapid growth through strategic investment, as a source of inspiration for advancing similar outcomes in other parts of the world.

The World Bank announced Dangote’s inclusion on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of the Lab, which enters a new phase focused on scaling up solutions that attract private capital and generate employment in developing countries.

Other newly appointed members include Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

READ ALSO:

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga noted that the expanded membership underscores the institution’s focus on integrating private-sector leadership into its strategy for global job creation.

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” Banga said.

“This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

The lab, which was co-chaired in 2023 by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, previously sought to mobilise £1 trillion in sustainable investment, particularly targeting energy transition projects in emerging markets.

Over the past 18 months, the lab has convened leaders from global financial institutions to identify and address key barriers to private sector investment in low-income economies. Its findings have now been consolidated into five core focus areas, including regulatory and policy certainty, which are being embedded across World Bank operations.

Dangote Group, founded by Aliko Dangote, is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the most prominent on the African continent. With investments spanning cement, fertiliser, salt, sugar, and oil, the group employs over 30,000 people and is Nigeria’s largest private-sector employer and taxpayer.

The company’s flagship project—the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals—is the largest single private investment in Africa.

Dangote also leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the largest private philanthropic organisation in sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation primarily supports child nutrition and also funds health, education, economic empowerment, and disaster relief efforts.

I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

Continue Reading

Aviation

Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

Published

3 days ago

on

April 24, 2025

By

Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

 

Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline said in a statement on Wednesday that it was also suspending operations due to the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings.

“Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over,” Air Peace said.

“Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”

The airline had earlier announced that the NiMet strike could lead to flight delays and cancellations across its network.

Air Peace added that it was monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on customers’ travel plans.

Employees of NiMet commenced a nationwide indefinite strike over welfare issues on Wednesday.

Some of the issues raised involve “NiMet’s refusal to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements,” including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.

They also accused the management of the agency of withholding important documents, ignoring requests for inclusion of omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes in favour of executive retreats.

Continue Reading

Business

Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

Published

4 days ago

on

April 23, 2025

By

Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

 

Nigeria’s gas output has increased 15,6 percent month-on-month, MoM, to 227,931.65 million standard cubic feet, mscf, in March 2025.

But on year-on-year, YoY basis, the nation’s gas output recorded a marginal increase to 227,931.65 mscf in March 2025, from 198,353.62 mscf, recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Gas Production Status reports indicated that of the total of 227,931.65 mscf produced in March 2025, 119,552.75 mscf was associated while 108,378.90 mscf was non-associated gas.

Associated gas is extracted in the process of producing crude oil while non-associated gas is produced without crude oil after much investment, exploration and development.

 

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), which is directly involved in the development of policies, targeted at increasing investment in the sector said efforts have been made to increase investment and production of gas in Nigeria.

Similarly, in its recent report obtained by Vanguard, the Nigerian LNG Limited stated: “We are fully committed to expanding our operations with the NLNG Train 7 Project, which will boost our production capacity by 35%, increasing from 22 Million Tonnes Per Annum (mtpa) to 30 mtpa. This project underscores our role as a key player in the global LNG market and positions Nigeria as a top-tier supplier of LNG, leveraging its vast proven gas reserves of 202 trillion cubic feet (the 9th largest globally).

Vanguard

Continue Reading

Trending