[b]INCREASE IN DATA RATES- HOW NIGERIAN USERS SHOULD REACT.
By Jude Omonuwa Ero

The NCC has directed Telecoms operators in Nigeria to increase data charges across board in Nigeria in some cases by an astronomical 300% effective December 1st. The rationale behind this illogical decision is to establish parity between rates in Nigeria and those of other West African nations and improve government revenue.

It represents one more retrogressive idea from a government in which Nigerians placed so much hope in 2015, and which has not failed to disappoint their expectations at every turn. It exposes the callousness and economic illiteracy of highly placed government decision makers and shows one more reason why Nigeria is widely regarded as a retrogressing Nation . Recall that this was the same government that welcomed Mark Zuckerberg to Aso rock earlier this year and endorsed his plans to provide free internet to Africa!

It is against all common sense and economic principles for government to force private operators into a rate hike against their business interests. In every part of the world where cogitation precedes policy formulation, governments seek ways to promote economic inclusion, bring down rates, champion competition and - most relevant to the present issue, nurture universal broadband penetration.

In Nigeria, the opposite is the case. This decision to hike data rates follows recent decisions and plans by the Buhari administration to tax Nigerians severely even in the midst of a recession precipitated and aggravated by incompetent economic policies of the administration.
Nigerians pay more for fuel and electricity than they did a year ago. They cannot afford food items as the prices have risen in some cases three fold. There is talk of taxing international passports and a 9% tax on phone calls. None of these has been accompanied by any improvement in quality of life. While the government is hiking taxes , it has no plan to increase salaries of government workers or pensioners or provide scholarships and loans to Nigerian graduates. Over 4 million jobs have been lost in the past year and inflation is currently at 12%, the highest in 15 years. The Naira is a mess, the third worst performing currency in the world. A recent article by Bloomberg called for a visionary economic policy for Nigeria from the government - you may interpret that call and its assessment of the governments economic policy so far, however you wish.

The proposed data tax targets the most vulnerable segments of the economic space- the youth population and businesses. Both sectors are capable of pulling Nigeria out of recession by generating economic growth by sheer volume of activity and innovation. But the folks at NCC do not think this way. Instead, they would tax the people to penury using a warped economic logic.

This must not be allowed. Nigerians must resist. They have many choices to do so. One way is to boycott all data services – whatsapp, facebook, browsing , Telegram, instagram, Nairaland, LindaIkeji, Hotels.ng, IrokoTv and other websites. We should boycott all Federal , State and local government websites. This will force a redction in income and taxes to the government and cause the NCC to see sense and reverse its decision. Second, write to your representative in the Senate and House of representatives. Third, sign the online against this nonsense at https://www.change.org/p/nigeria-communication-commission-ncc-data-plans-rates-by-carriers-in-nigeria-should-not-be-increased-by-ncc?recruiter=642402116&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink.
You may also go to twitter and join either of these hashtags #NoToDataIncrease #Our_Mumu_Don_Do.

In 2003, Nigerians successfully boycotted GSM services for a day in protest against fee hikes. This was termed THE GREAT BOYCOTT. In 2016, we can repeat the feat. The power belongs to the citizenry, not to appointed officials hiding in offices somewhere, who apparently do not know their job description.

Let us unite and make REAL CHANGE possible.

Dr Ero is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and programmer. He writes from Lagos [/b]

We should just watch for the outcome na
Since change was all we clamored for 2yrs ago

To me it seems buhari is a punishment to Nigerians

As long as I am a student in my school here .
I will not buy data more than N 100.
so it doesn't affect me if the price of 1.5Gb is 5k.

powerfulsettingz:
We should just watch for the outcome na

You are watching while the government is killing you abi?

Ok

God will save us from this evil man called BuBU same way he did to abacha

redsceptic:
[b]INCREASE IN DATA RATES- HOW NIGERIAN USERS SHOULD REACT.
By Jude Omonuwa Ero

The NCC has directed Telecoms operators in Nigeria to increase data charges across board in Nigeria in some cases by an astronomical 300% effective December 1st. The rationale behind this illogical decision is to establish parity between rates in Nigeria and those of other West African nations and improve government revenue.

It represents one more retrogressive idea from a government in which Nigerians placed so much hope in 2015, and which has not failed to disappoint their expectations at every turn. It exposes the callousness and economic illiteracy of highly placed government decision makers and shows one more reason why Nigeria is widely regarded as a retrogressing Nation .

It is against all common sense and economic principles for government to force private operators into a rate hike against their business interests. In every part of the world where cogitation precedes policy, governments seek ways to promote economic inclusion, bring down rates, champion competition and - most relevant to the present issue, nurture universal broadband penetration.

In Nigeria, the opposite is the case. This decision to hike data rates follows recent decisions and plans by the Buhari administration to tax Nigerians severely even in the midst of a recession precipitated and aggravated by incompetent economic policies of the administration.
Nigerians pay more for fuel and electricity than they did a year ago. They cannot afford food items as the prices have risen in some cases three fold. There is talk of taxing international passports and a 9% tax on phone calls. None of these has been accompanied by any improvement in quality of life. While the government is hiking taxes , it has no plan to increase salaries of government workers or pensioners or provide scholarships and loans to Nigerian graduates. Over 4 million jobs have been lost in the past year and inflation is currently at 12%, the highest in 15 years. The Naira is a mess, the third worst performing currency in the world. A recent article by Bloomberg called for a visionary economic policy for Nigeria from the government - you may interpret that call and its assessment of the governments economic policy so far, however you wish.

The proposed data tax targets the most vulnerable segments of the economic space- the youth population and businesses. Both sectors are capable of pulling Nigeria out of recession by generating economic growth by sheer volume of activity and innovation. But the folks at NCC do not think this way. Instead, they would tax the people to penury using a warped economic logic.

This must not be allowed. Nigerians must resist. They have many choices to do so. One way is to boycott all data services – whatsapp, facebook, browsing , Telegram, instagram, Nairaland, LindaIkeji, Hotels.ng, IrokoTv and other websites. We should boycott all Federal , State and local government websites until the NCC sees sense and reverse its decision. Second, write to your representative in the Senate and House of representatives. Third, sign the online against this nonsense at https://www.change.org/p/nigeria-communication-commission-ncc-data-plans-rates-by-carriers-in-nigeria-should-not-be-increased-by-ncc?recruiter=642402116&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink.
You may also go to twitter and join either of these hashtags #NoToDataIncrease #Our_Mumu_Don_Do.

In 2003, Nigerians successfully boycotted GSM services for a day in protest against fee hikes. This was termed THE GREAT BOYCOTT. In 2016, we can repeat the feat. The power belongs to the citizenry, not to appointed officials hiding in offices somewhere, who apparently do not know their job description.

Unite and make real change possible.

Dr Ero is a medical doctor, entrepreneur and programmer. He writes from Lagos [/b]

Government don kolo dem no see petrol price hike na data dem dey hike

mods move to front page.

i was always indifferent abbout this wailer zombie thing... but this is too much

i am gonna b a wailer as from tomorrow
fvck u buhari... fvck apc

They just make policies that are unfavourable to masses everyday. I pray God have mercy on this nation and remove us from the shackles we have willingly entered ourselves.

IamJix:
As long as I am a student in my school here .
I will not but data more than N 100.
so it doesn't affect me if the price of 1.5Gb is 5k.

It's people like you that also give Nigeria problem.
So until it gets to your doorstep before you react. That's selfish.
Don't you know when it finally gets to your doorstep it will be too late? And other folks will also say "its none of my business"

This country ehn, na only God fit intervene ooooo. Wetin concern NCC them, to talk about data plan now...