Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday warned MultiChoice not to dare the nation’s apex legislative body with its decision to increase the monthly tariffs of DSTV and GOTV.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, gave the warning while inaugurating a seven-member Ad hoc Committee to investigate circumstances around the proposed hike. The Committee is headed by the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi.
Lawan added that DSTV should respect Nigerian consumers, as Nigeria provides a climate for them to do business, which should not be abused.
“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.
“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.
