The House of Representatives has mandated its committees on
Information and Culture, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to interface
with the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), and conduct an inquiry into the
planned introduction of a new price regime by Satellite Television Company,
MNET for its DSTV and GOtv subscribers.
The committee which will also investigate the failure of MNET to
adopt the “pay as you go” option for Nigerian subscribers is to report back to
the House in eight weeks, for further legislative action.
The House adopted this resolution after the adoption of a motion entitled:
“Need to Investigate the Exorbitant Charges and Refusal of Multi-choice
Satellite Television to Adopt Pay- as -You -Go Package Option”, sponsored by
Abbas Tajudeen.
Tajudeen had described as insensitive, the trend in which in
recent years, the prices of different bouquet of Multichoice Satellite
Television outlets were increased. He outrightly condemned the refusal of the
company to offer “pay- as- you- go” option on its digital satellite television.
He stated that the company on a yearly basis increases its various
packages which cause financial strain on its subscribers.
He went further to say that “In 2013, the monthly subscription increased by
7-10 percent in 2014 by 10-15 percent and in 2015 by 10-22 percent and just recently,
the company sent a notification of another price increase with effect from May.
“DSTV does not have pay- as- you- go plan like most similar communication
companies around the world, thereby making its subscription plan to expire at
the end of the monthly subscription period, whether or not the subscriber uses
the services,” he said.
He argued that the regular increase in the prices of the various bouquet and
MNET”s failure to adopt a “pay- as -you- go” payment option goes against
globally acceptable fair business practice.
He expressed concern on the seeming inability of the relevant regulatory
agencies to police the industry.
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Yes ohhh.
ReplyDeleteA very good move that should be supported by evert arm of the government and the masses. kudos to You Abbas for that.
ReplyDeleteIs this within their jurisdiction? They are suppose to be law makers!
ReplyDeleteThere are govt agencies whose responsibility it is to protect consumers. MNET is a private company operating in a competitive market. If they outprice themselves, competitors shoulld leverage. The consumer has choices.
Who is competitor to mnet, maybe Gotv. Right? Since the regulators are obviously sleeping. Maybe they should wake them up. Don't be surprise to know they benefit from the price hike.. Remember the OBJ Regime and MTN *555*1* code issue. This is naija. Anything is possible.
DeleteBut should they be sleeping if they see something affecting the masses. Thanks to Abass.
ReplyDelete