Senate Warns Multichoice On Decision Of Tariff Increase, Reveals Next Line Of Action

Senate Speaks On Multichoice Nigeria’s Decision With Tariff Increase, Reveals Next Line Of Action, details can be accessed below.

BrandNewsDay Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Senate has warned MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of DStv, the largest pay-tv operator in Nigeria and Africa not to dare the FG by increasing its tariffs.

Recalled that MultiChoice recently announced an increase in its subscription fee across all bouquets for its DStv and GOtv services.

Last month, Multichoice Nigeria Limited had also been restrained from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services by a Competition and Consumer Protection (CCP) tribunal.

This online Newspaper understands that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday, in Abuja ordered that there should be an investigation around the circumstances on the proposed hike while inaugurating a seven-member Ad hoc Committee of the Senate headed by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi.

Lawan added that DSTV should respect Nigerian consumers’ rights, as Nigeria provides a climate for them to do business, which should not be abused.

Multichoice Nigeria

Reacting to the MultiChoice’s hike in tariff plans of GOtv and DStv, Lawan said, “No increase. And that is to say, don’t dare our country. No increase in tariffs,” Lawan said while speaking to the committee which was set up last month to investigate the planned tariff hike by DStv.“No operator should take us for granted. We mean business. We want you to be here. Nigeria always provides the climate for you to do your businesses, but don’t abuse the laws of our country.

“Our consumers here are people who are innocent and we are prepared to protect them”.

Moving on, the Senate President added that “When the legitimate interests of our people are threatened, we are supposed to ensure that we protect them.

“It has been the practice of many companies, especially foreign companies, operating in Nigeria to treat the Nigerian consumers of their products in a different way and manner that is not consistent with global best practices.”

Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdullahi said, “It is mind-boggling that barely two years after a price hike by Multichoice, which was followed by a big uproar by Nigerians, comes another unexpected increment without proper consultation with critical stakeholders.”

He added that the investigation is an opportunity to right the wrongs and bring these service providers to operate within the confines of the law as obtainable outside the shores of the country, citing that incessant hike in tariffs without recourse to constituted authorities is a thing of great concern that calls for questioning.

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