The Senate began on Wednesday against the recent increase in data costs and other services by telecommunications operators, asking for an urgent review.
He pointed out that the increase in costs of more than “200%” in costs had “placed significant financial tension in millions of Nigerians, especially young people who trust on the Internet for their livelihood.”
In a resolution approved in Abuja, the Senate requested the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy that are involved with telecommunications suppliers to review data costs and “guarantee that prices remain fair and affordable for all Nigerians.”
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He also asked the Ministry to develop a policy framework for affordable Internet services in Nigeria, in addition to the government establishes and supports technological centers throughout the country that “would provide free or subsidized Internet access to young entrepreneurs, students and innovative.”
The Senate made the decision after a motion moved by the Senate Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and largely adopted by its colleagues.
The Motion Partly Reads, “The Senate Notes That Young Nigerians have embraced the Digital Economy, Leveraging the Internet for Various incom-generating activities, including freelancing and remote work, Digital Marketing and Social Media Management, e-commerce and online trading Software Development, Web Design, and Mobile App Creation, Content Creation on YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram, Online Education and Professional Skill Development, Cryptocurrency Trading and Financial Technology Innovations, and Customer Support Services Amongst others.
“Concerned that fiber optic internet services remain unaffordable for the average Nigerian young man, leaving them largely dependent on mobile telecommunications companies for Internet access, and that the sudden and substantial increase in data costs threatens their economic survival and limits access to critical digital services.
“It is also worried that the reasons provided by telecommunications suppliers for the increase in data prices, including high -up costs and unfavorable exchange rates, are unsustainable and it seems that instead of addressing the root causes of the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, the load is unfairly transferred to end users.
“Aware that the high cost of doing business in nigeria is driven by multiple challenges, including poorinfrastructure, unreliable Power Supply and Road Networks, High Import Duties on Ict Equipment and Other Essential Business Tools, Multiple Taxation and Excessive Regulatory Regulatory Charge Operators, Security Concerns That increased Operational Risks and Insurance Costs, Bureaucratic Bottlenecks That Slow Down Business Operations and Innovation, and The High Cost of Diesel and Alternative Energy Sources due to an energy supply of the nationally reliable national network.
“He believes that urgent government intervention is required to ensure that affordable Internet access is available to all Nigerians, particularly for young people, who are the backbone of Nigeria's digital economy.”
The senators unanimously supported the motion in the session, which was chaired by the president of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
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