Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen
The Senate Committee on Communications on Tuesday said that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) proposed increase in data tariffs was in the interest of the nation.
The Committee made this known during an overnight visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja.
The committee led by it vice Chairman, Senator Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West) urged Nigerians to see the commission as being on their side on the issue of data price increase.
This he said is because NCC had taken some commendable steps to sanitize the telecom industry and the data price hike was one of them.
He said, “Each time we invited the leadership of the agency to the National Assembly, they honoured our invitation and responded to our inquiries, particularly during the MTN issue, and of recent the data price floor. They have acted in national interests and Nigerians see NCC as being on their side.”
Olamikan called on NCC to make details of its 2017 budget available on time to enable members go through and approve to avoid the delay occasioned by the 2016 budget.
He said the 8-point agenda unfolded by Professor Danbatta on assumption of office has turned around the telecom industry, urging him to build on the achievement in the years ahead.
However, while receiving members of the Committee, the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Danbatta, said unless the issues regarding the data price floor are resolved, it remains a whirlwind that would not do anybody any good.
Members of the Committee are Senator Gilbert Nnaji as Chairman, and Senator Adeola Olamilekan as Vice Chairman. Others are Senators Abu Ibrahim, Joshua Dariye, Eyinnaya Aberibe, Isa Misau and Abiodun Olujimi.
