Between NCC and Us

Hi everyone, good morning.

The end of 2016 is around the corner, can you believe that? Can't believe today is the last day in November, the month just flew by so fast. I'm deeply grateful to God that I and my loved ones are alive and healthy. Whatever other challenges we face can be surmounted as long as there is good health, right?

So, from tomorrow, December 1, the Nigerian Communication Commission has mandated the big telecommunication companies to increase the data tariffs. One would think that in this day of cheap data all over the world, our people would mandate the Telcos to reduce the data rate. Why would government mandate the Telcos to increase data tariff, whereas the Telcos say the increment will affect their consumers? Isn't it strange that the Telcos who hitherto were after profit-making, are the ones that are considerate towards us, the consumers? So, as a friend put it, in the midst of all the hardship we're currently experiencing in Nigeria, we also have to cut down our internet use to minimise cost, knowing that the Internet serves as escape route for us, where we can read, learn, laugh, cry and generally stay busy. Hmmmm...

Do they even know the number of new businesses springing up that depend on Internet use? In this era of massive unemployment, a lot of young people have delved into online businesses(and I don't mean 419), just to make ends meet. Now they want to increase data tariff?? It's not as if the Internet is steady and fast o, but they should let us manage the epileptic Internet services, having become used to the mediocre services the Telcos offer us here. It's sad when the authorities who are meant to make things easier for the people are the ones bringing further hardship on the citizens. 

So guys, no more watching videos on Youtube, live streaming, unnecessary downloads, and the likes. They probably feel we spend a lot of time online, gossiping and conniving against the government. This is not fair at all. For people like us who stood in line for hours and voted for a change of the status quo, we have been trying to defend the actions and policies, but it becomes increasingly difficult to do that in the face of present hardships. Nobody will claim to be oblivious of the difficulties Nigerian are going through, except that person lives on Mars. I still support the government in any way that I can, but I sincerely wish they would make life a bit palatable for the citizens. I still believe there's light at the end of this tunnel, and things will get better for Nigeria and Nigerians. 

For now, let the appropriate authorities reject this directive o! This fight between us and the NCC shouldn't be like other issues the citizens have had to put up with, whereby we complain and wail, then keep quiet and adjust to it, no matter how tough things get. If this is their own version of Christmas gift, we don't want biko! 

Enjoy your day my dearies. If I have to reduce the frequency with which I blog, don't blame me, blame NCC, hehehehe...

Hugs...