The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday condemned the proposed increase in the cost of telecommunication data, saying it will have negative impact on Nigerians.
The NLC Chairman in Anambra, Mr Jerry Nnubia, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Awka, noted that the hike would also increase the cost of doing business because a large percentage of transactions were done online.
He said that though the policy of the increase would result to more revenue to the Federal Government, it would deny the people the access to social interaction.
‘’This increase is needless, it is making the effect of recession on us to become unbearable. At this time when income is static, the price of every other goods and services are on the increase: petrol, food items, household items and now data.
“We are looking forward to seeing government actions that will come as succour not increases. Data increase will deny people access to interact with each other which is the only way we easily exchange ideas. Cost of business will also increase because most businesses are now done online,” he said.
Nnubia called on the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and service providers to rescind the policy in the interest of the masses.
A business centre operator, who preferred anonymity, said the increase would result in decrease in the rate of browsing by many Nigerians.
He lamented that with such increase, patronage on data purchases would decrease as many subscribers would no longer use their personal devices.
On his part, a university student, Mr Chinedu Obi, said the increase may lead students to revert to the era of using ‘cheat codes’.
Obi said the prevailing price was affordable to all as they were readily buying them.
“They can increase it if they like but it will not be good for us. If it becomes harsh on us, we may have to start using cheat to browse,” he said.
Some service providers have sent message to subscribers to anticipate increase in data rate as from Dec. 1.
NAN reports that the Senate has, however, called for immediate halt to the date rate hike during its plenary on Wednesday. (NAN)