A human rights activist, Olu Omatayo, said the 50 per cent tariff increase on telecommunication services is an additional burden on Nigerians.

He made the submission during an interview on Tuesday in Enugu while reacting to the approval of 50 per cent hike in telecom services.

Mr Omotayo, who is the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), said the high telecom tariff would have a negative impact on Nigerians.

He said, “There is no justification for that now especially when Nigerians are still grappling with the current economic hardship. I feel the government ought to have thrown the debate open, even to the grass-roots so that the general opinion of the people should prevail before going ahead with the increase.”

The human rights lawyer said that the increase was a hash New Year message to the already impoverished Nigerian masses.

“As we speak, the price of petrol has gone up again; the cost of electricity is high; and now telecom services, all have gone beyond the reach of the masses,” he said.

The Federal Government on Monday approved the request of telecom operators to increase calls and data tariffs by 50 per cent.

The increase has drawn reactions from Nigerians

(NAN)