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By Chinelo Obogo
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Federal Government and telecommunications companies 48 to reverse the 50 percent tariff hike or face legal action.
SERAP gave this ultimatum via its X handle describing the tariff increase as “unlawful” and threatening to take legal action if it is not reversed within 48 hours.
The organisation said the hike contravenes the rights of Nigerians to affordable access to communication, as guaranteed under international human rights standards. It said, “The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours.”
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The government’s directive drew criticism from Nigerians, many of whom rely on telecommunications for their businesses as the 50 percent hike in call and data tariff would worsen the already high cost of living.
SERAP said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) must provide an explanation for the increase, insisting that the process lacked transparency and that the government failed to carry out public consultation.
Following the 50 percent tariff hike, the cost of making phone calls will increase from N6.40 to N9.60 per minute, while the cost of sending messages will go from N4 to N6 per SMS.
The 50% increase in data rates will also cause a spike in cost from N350 per gigabyte to N525 per gigabyte.
