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Telecoms Subscribers Association Rejects Tariff Hike

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Telecoms subscribers association has rejected the hike in tariffs which they described as unacceptable.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had on Monday approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in the country following calls by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) for an upward review of tariff.

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But the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has faulted the move and threatened to sue.

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“It is not it at all. It is so much for subscribers to bear. Already, we are grappling with a lot of things that are surrounding the business climate here – fuel cost, electricity cost, and all that – you are now looking at telcos asking for 100% and NCC now is granting them 50%. It is a no-no,” NATCOMS president Deolu Ogunbanjo said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.

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“We are definitely not going to accept this,” the NATCOMS chief insisted.

‘It Addresses Sustainability’

Telecoms operators had asked for a 100% hike in tariff, citing operational and increments in other sectors like aviation and power.

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According to the operators, tariffs have not been increased in the sector for about 11 years which if allowed to continue will impact the quality of service delivery in the country.

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“So, it addresses sustainability and also enables the regulators to hold the big stick on the issue of quality of service and allows us consequently to invest in giving the quality of service Nigerians deserve,” the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Karl Toriola said during his January 3, 2025 appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

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‘A Bit Shocking’

NATCOMS does not, however, buy the argument.

“There are so many windows open to them,” Ogunbanjo said referencing options like a five to 10% increment in tariff, and “initial public offerings” among others.

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“We would want to call on them to bring it to our demanded five to 10% increase.”

He threatened that NATCOMS would take the telecoms operators to court and claimed that during the last meeting of stakeholders, no agreement was reached on tariff increment.

“To be quite honest, it is a bit shocking,” the NATCOMS president added.

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JUST IN: Tension As Air Peace Flight Veers Off Runway In Port Harcourt

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An Air Peace flight P47190 veered off the runway on Sunday morning while landing at the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt.

Though no clue has yet been disclosed as to the cause of the incident, available information claimed there were no casualties.

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The flight which originated at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos ran into the incident on touchdown at the destination.

READ ALSO: Air Peace Lambasts Oshiomhole For Unruly Conduct, Assaulting Staff, Barricading Terminal Entrance At Lagos Airpor

Air Peace management has confirmed in a release signed by its spokesman, Osifo-whiskey Efe, that its “Flight P47190, operating from Lagos to Port Harcourt this morning, (Sunday), had a runway excursion after landing safely at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

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“The aircraft veered slightly off the runway without any damage. All passengers disembarked safely and calmly, and no injuries were reported,” it says.

The airline assured the flying public of its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety in all operations.

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Anglican Church Bans Partisan Speeches By Politicians During Services

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The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has released guidelines on how politicians and government officials should be received during church services and programmes, as part of efforts to maintain the sanctity and neutrality of Christian worship.

The directive was issued by the Primate of the Church, Most Revd Henry Ndukuba, during the Episcopal Consultation held in the Diocese of Nike, Enugu.

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According to the Church, via a memo on Friday by the Director of Communication, Korede Akintunde, the guidelines became necessary following growing concerns about the increasing use of church gatherings as platforms for political statements, which risk undermining the core purpose of worship.

The church remains open to all persons, including politicians and government officials.

READ ALSO:Court Sentences Two To Death For Ritual Killing In Ogun

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“However, the church must not engage in or promote partisanship,” the memo stated.

The church emphasised that any guest expected to address the congregation must first have a prior discussion with church leadership to offer appropriate guidance.

“Guests are to be informed clearly that the church is not a platform for advancing partisan views or political propaganda.

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“Church leaders and officiants must refrain from making statements or behaving in ways that could be construed as politically aligned or sectional.

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⁠No church official should eulogise or exalt any guest in a manner that might bring the church into disrepute.

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“⁠Where possible, guests should not be permitted to use the church’s lectern when speaking, as it has been consecrated for the reading of God’s Word,” the statement read.

While affirming its responsibility to engage with government authorities on issues affecting the people and the nation, the church reiterated its commitment to being a moral compass for society.

“The church remains committed, under God, to being the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

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“We will continue to uphold the nation in prayer and offer godly counsel to those in positions of authority,” Ndukuba stated.

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Lagos LG Poll: Why We Did Not Shut Border – Immigration

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Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Seme Border Command, Absullahi Adamu, says the service did not receive any directive to close the border over the Lagos State Local government election.

Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Seme on Saturday, that the border is an international one, under exclusive list.

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READ ALSO:Lagos LG Poll: Fashola Absent At Polling Unit

Closing of an international border should come from higher authority.

“There is no information regarding restriction of movement till 3pm, so our status quo remains,” he said.

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According to him, the border cannot be closed against people coming into the country but the service can only advise them to wait till 3p.m after stamping them in before leaving the border.

READ ALSO:LASIEC Releases Validated Candidates’ List Gor Lagos LG Polls

Adamu said that foreigners coming into the country through the border would be urged to hang somewhere, after stamping their passports till 3.p.m before leaving the border.

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He, however, said the command would act accordingly if they received order to restrict movement.

(NAN)

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