By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has warned that while the approved tariff hike may ease production costs for telecommunications operators, low-income consumers will surely experience more pressure on their livelihood.
Recall that last week, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 per cent hike on mobile phone calls, SMS, and internet data costs for the first time since 2013.
However, there have been reactions from consumers, with the LCCI joining to shout from the rooftop, calling for continuous engagement by stakeholders in the sector to create a win-win situation.
According to the Director General of the LCCI, Mrs Chinyere Almona, while telecommunications had become a critical part of lifestyle and businesses; the sector must remain competitive to deliver quality services.
She noted the emerging innovative landscape in food production, surveillance technology for security and exploits of artificial intelligence depended on a robust digital ecosystem.
Mrs Almona said the current environment in which the sector operated had become too expensive for their profitability.
She explained that factors such as rising energy costs, increasing price of network equipment, inflation, and currency depreciation placed heavy financial burdens on operators.
According to her, a combination of these factors led telecom providers to increase tariffs to mitigate the rising cost.
“The recent hike in telecoms tariff has attracted mixed reactions.
“While this hike may offer relief for the operators, it risks placing additional strain on consumers, particularly those in lower-income brackets,” the DG said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos.
She noted that a factor of consideration by most stakeholders was that Nigerian citizens and businesses deserved better services from the operators, adding that consumers deserved more robust regulation from government.
Mrs Almona said that in the quest for a one trillion-dollar economy, there was need for more investments in critical infrastructure.
This, she said, would drive the much-needed digital revolution for growth and development.
“A robust digital infrastructure will support innovation across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. Looking beyond the hike, the operators and regulators need to settle down into delivering quality services to drive operational cost efficiency for businesses and support the automation of government services.
“We reiterate our call for reducing human interface in the conduct of regulatory services like licensing of products, obtaining necessary permits, issuance of certifications, and port operations.”
Mrs Almona also noted that a significant item for inclusion in rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is activities in the Information and Communications Technology sector.
She said the sector recorded resilient growth during the COVID-19 pandemic and had also led other sectors in the post-pandemic recovery and stability.
She stated that this reality should attract more government attention and funding for the digital and creative industry.
“To remain competitive and continue to provide quality service, telecom operators must overcome significant challenges.
“Nigeria’s digital economy must be empowered to catalyse economic growth and be the driver of innovation and possibilities,” she said.
