Net suffers have expressed concern over sharp decline in web browsing occasioned by the telecom tariff hikes in the country.
The users including students, traders and business operators, who spoke in Bauchi and Gombe, decried frequent call drops, poor connectivity and low data speed since the introduction of the new telecom tarrifs.
They said the trend added a burden on their strained finances and exposed them to losses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), recently approved a 50 per cent rise in telecom tariffs for mobile telecommunication service providers.
The increase applied to the average cost of calls and data usage.
NCC said the measure would support operators to invest in infrastructure and innovations in line with ongoing industry reforms.
According to the new tariff regime, 1.5GB monthly plan is up to N1,500 from N1,000; 15GB will cost N6,500 as against its old price of N4,500 while 20GB plan costs N7,500 as against N5,500.
Also, 1.5 terabyte 90-day plan shot up to N240,000 from N150,000; and 600GB 90-day plan increased from N75,000 to N120,000
While the voice call tariff increased from N11 to N16 per minute, representing about 45 per cent rise.
Some of the consumers decried poor quality services by the telecom providers in spite of the tariff hike.
Akanji Adeyemi, a journalist in Bauchi, said the telecom tariff hike has made his work more challenging as it relied on data and airtime.
He said that mobile communication was now a necessity rather than a luxury, which required proactive technical and financial measures to make it affordable and accessible to the users.
“I use data to write reports, monitor events and conduct research daily. Previously, 1-GB cost N350 as against N800.
“And it barely lasts for ew hours when doing serious work. Journalists are now spending up to N10,000 monthly on data alone,” he said.
Charles Agwan, an activist, expressed concern over the short duration of airtime, as it easily ran out while making verification calls.
“As a journalist, I need to call sources to confirm facts. If I recharge N1,000, it will be exhausted within a few minutes, and I often have to call multiple sources in a day. The cost is becoming unbearable,” he said.
However, Ismail Raji, a poultry farmer, said the tariff hike did not affect him significantly.
“I make my money, so the tariff hike hasn’t changed how often I make calls. But the government should step in to help those who are struggling,” he said.
Read Also: FULL LIST: Telcos to disconnect Nine banks USSD codes January 27
Also, David Adenuga, advised consumers to accept the tariff hike in view of the high cost of operating telecom services and economic realities in the country.
He also called for user friendly policies to enhance telecom operations in the country.
“All networks have increased their charges, so there’s no way to escape it. I’ve had to cut down on my internet usage and call time just to manage the costs,” he said.
Similarly; Rebecca Mu’azu and Najib Sani, said the tariff hike was causing heavy drain in their pockets as they now spent more on data and airtime.
Sani said the situation forced him to reduce his call time or data usage to enable him to stay online.
“I used to spend N8,000 on data monthly, but with the new tariff, I spend N5,000 weekly, and about N20,000 monthly,” he said.
On his part, Attah Williams said the tariff hike has affected his social life.
“With this increase, I only make calls when absolutely necessary. I now have to think carefully before making a call,” he said
Meanwhile, some residents of Dutse in Jigawa have expressed joy over the improved power supply in the past three weeks in the area.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government had approved a new electricity tariff aimed at encouraging investment and infrastructure development in the power sector.
The development attracted public outcry over the erratic power supply occasioned by frequent grid failure and blackouts across the country.
Ms Safiya Muazu, a business owner in Dutse, alleged that the prepaid meter has been fraught with malfunctioning, over deductions and irregularities since the introduction of the new tariff.
“There is no light in my shop, the prepaid meter yanks off without notice as the N5,000 worth of electricity credit could barely lasts 7 days.
“People need chill drinks to quench their thirst in this weather condition, but lack of light is negatively affecting the trade.
“I’m not making a good sale, the condition is so pathetic,” she said.
Also, Aisha Abdullahi, a student, said the frequent power outage was making studying difficult.
She said that power outage often disrupted lectures during the day, and the accompanying darkness prevented students from studying during the night hours.
However, Zainab Babangida and Ahmad Abdullahi lauded the improved power supply in the area.
Abdullahi said the improved power supply had encouraged growth of trading activities and enabled the Muslim to observe the Ramadan fast in a more conducive environment.
“We are happy over the stable power supply, it is a good development and commendable.
“With uninterrupted power supply, consumers will be happy to pay their bills because they are paying for the services rendered,” he said.
(NAN)
