Residents of Owerri, including businessmen, traders, Point of Sale (POS) operators, and students, have expressed deep frustration over the federal government’s approval of a 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs.
The move, they argue, will worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians already grappling with high living costs.
Raymond Igwe, a POS operator in Owerri, lamented the potential ripple effects of the hike, noting that his business heavily depends on affordable telecom services.
“This increase is going to hit us hard. Our service charges will have to go up, and this will drive customers away. It’s a lose-lose situation,” he said.
Similarly, Chioma Ekezie, a student at Imo State University, Owerri, described the tariff hike as a severe blow to students who rely on affordable data for studies and communication.
“It’s like the government doesn’t care about students. We need data for research and online classes. How are we supposed to cope with this?” she told INNONEWS.
Traders in Owerri, like Greg Amadi, also voiced their concerns.
He explained that the hike would indirectly affect the prices of goods and services.
“Everything we do depends on communication. When telecom costs go up, so will transportation and the cost of bringing goods to the market,” he said.
John Anyanwu, a local businessman, added, “This hike will cut across every aspect of our lives. Businesses will pass on the extra cost to consumers.
“It’s frustrating because the government should be reducing our burdens, not adding to them.”he said.
The tariff hike, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will see call rates rise from N11 to N16.5 per minute, SMS charges from N4 to N6, and data costs from N431.25 per gigabyte.
These changes come amid ongoing economic struggles, including fuel price hikes and rising food inflation.
The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) and other advocacy groups across the country have condemned the move.
Some POS operators in Owerri who spoke to INNONEWS hinted at the possibility of increasing service charges, citing the heavy reliance of their operations on telecom services.
“This hike will impact us directly. While we may try to absorb some of the costs, it will be difficult to sustain our services without increasing charges,” said Uchenna Elendu, a POS operators at Egbu road.
Some residents also argue that the government’s decision is insensitive to their plight.
“People are already struggling with high transportation costs and inflation. Adding this telecom tariff hike is like rubbing salt in our wounds,” said Okechukwu Mefor
The outrage in Owerri reflects a growing nationwide dissatisfaction, as Nigerians brace for the economic ripple effects of the new telecom tariff.