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Street sweepers in Cross River and shame of state

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coic
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What transpired last week in Calabar between Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and protesting street sweepers is not only sad, but reprehensible. Our flimsy system of environmental governance, where little is given but much is expected, was exposed for what it was. The women, who numbered over 100, surrounded Ayade’s office, blocking it with trash, and claimed they were owed four months’ worth of wages for their environmental services. Their actions generated a lot of media coverage, which infuriated the government. However, it was a terrible heartbreak for those who had previously fallen in love with Destination Calabar.

It is also a reproach to us as citizens, particularly to those from the middle or upper classes. We have a certain perspective on environmental sanitation. It is considered to be a filthy task for the lower classes. Sweeping, cleaning, and garbage removal have not only come to be associated with the lowly paid “cleaners,” but also with the people at the bottom of the food chain. It is for the boys and girls of the house. So much so that even the housechildren are not allowed to dispose of trash in our homes; only helpers are allowed.

 

Our treatment of office cleaners and street sweepers is a reflection of how little respect we have for them. The sweepers receive pitiful wages for rising early and maintaining our streets. These sweepers and waste handlers are exposed to risks because, contrary to what is available in more developed climes, waste is not sorted at homes. For instance, you might discover a variety of waste materials inside one waste bin, including plastic waste, paper waste, bottles, organic waste like uneaten food (rotten and odorous), liquid waste in bottles, sachets, and cans, chemical waste, drug and medicine waste, metals, and wood waste.

What about the trash that is carelessly dumped in the gutters, culverts, and by the sides of the roads? What about stray animals, dead pets, rodents, and human waste?

To assist us in sorting out our daily waste, these so-called sweepers put their hands inside the trash cans and gutters. They frequently do not even receive personal protective equipment, such as a facemask, mittens, or boots. They are exposed to bacteria and viruses that are carried by the vectors of squalor they are sent to fight. We continue to consider them to be a public nuisance. The governor drives past in his armoured cars while his sirens are on. He observes these helpless, diligent citizens and turns away.

Since the sweepers’ wages are so pitiful that the governor could afford to pay them without feeling the pinch, I do not see any reason for them to complain if there is even a drop of human kindness in these politicians. The Calabar women claimed they received monthly salaries ranging from N5000 to N10000, with 10% of that amount taken out by the government agents who hired them. The combined sweepers’ stipend is less than what governors spend on exotic wine and private jet travel.

There is still more irony. When the governor and all of his political allies travel to other nations, they observe how the providers of environmental services are regarded and treated with respect and humanity. They encounter them on the streets and in their hotels. In fact, they may have paid for their siblings to move abroad to work as sweepers and cleaners in hotels, hospitals, schools, public buildings, and transportation. They are well paid and well respected there. They even send their dependents money that they have earned by sweeping the streets. It’s a completely different story over here. So I question: Is the job not the same, or are sweepers blessed abroad but cursed in Nigeria?

Read Also: FG disconnects discos from the national grid, due to debt

The haughtiness of Ayade and his thugs is another sad aspect of the story. The protesting sweepers were summoned by the Calabar Urban Development Authority, who only paid them for one of the four months they were owed before warning them that the remaining balance would only be paid if they showed up for work “and impressed Governor Ayade.” Think about the audacity!

Who should be disciplined between Ayade and the sweepers, please? Instead of the other way around, the governor should be fired with a warning because she is at fault. The sweepers have completed their work and are not requesting payment in advance. Why then do you say that they must win over the governor? Already, they made an impression. The governor now has the opportunity to dazzle by paying them promptly.

The demystification of Calabar is the other issue in this situation. The once-model of environmental virtue, the city, was desecrated. Newspaper accounts of the incident state that security personnel, including police officers and members of the state security service, were seen at the Cross River Government House attempting to prevent bystanders and journalists from taking photos and recording videos of the trash dumped in front of the governor’s office. According to reports, the security guards were “apprehending” bystanders and wiping the images off of their cameras.

They were unfortunate because the news had already spread widely. You can’t cover pregnancy with two arms, the villager would say. The lumps are obvious to everyone. The Calabar refuse is therefore.

What the international media has to say about the city’s decline from grace to grass may be the most telling indicator of it. According to a recent Al Jazeera report, “In the middle of the 2000s, Calabar—once a slave port under British colonial rule—emerged as a tourist destination for both domestic and international travellers drawn to its lovely green scenery, rich culture, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The city no longer has that allure today. Where once a lush line of trees stood, pockets of trash now litter the landscape. In some areas, trash left on the ground has given rise to a powerful breed of houseflies and scavengers. The gutters in the city are clogged with trash or thick with overgrown weed.

The descent into scum-filled dishonour has been swift. In 2007, The New Humanitarian, then a division of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, published a report that stated: “Of the many towns and cities on the African continent, Calabar must be one of the cleanest.” Sadly, the situation changed in less than ten years.

The government officials were attempting to conceal this infamy from the public. They did not want their ecological transgressions to be exposed by the media. But they fell short. What do they anticipate? that a news-hungry crowd would not share and retweet this “juicy” eco-sensation in the age of social media. No one can truly conceal the squalor. Will they be able to conceal the overflowing landfill at Lemna, Calabar’s main solid waste dumpsite, if they cover the dirt at the government building? This landfill has reached capacity and is spilling over because garbage collectors are also protesting unpaid wages.

Truth be told, mistreating sweepers is an unacceptable sin in a city like Calabar. It is akin to murdering the hen who produces the golden egg. The city’s environmental splendour is its greatest asset. Ecotourism now generates a profit. A Teflon-clean ecosystem where anything is possible was promoted as being present in Calabar. Obudu Ranch came next. Then came the carnival. The cable car came after. TINAPA went after. However, if the tourist building’s foundation is ignored, the entire castle will collapse. This is the reality that we are attempting to avoid.

 

FG disconnects discos from the national grid, due to debt

By
coic
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0

The Federal Government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Market Operator, has started a massive disconnect of debtor electricity distribution companies from the national grid. As a result, millions of electricity consumers may be left in the dark in the upcoming weeks.

The change occurred after the Market Operator served notices of grid disconnections to some of the Discos.

Read also: Oliseh criticises Chelsea’s strategy when playing Arsenal

Due to failure to pay ancillary service bills, The MO, a division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, had informed some Discos, including generating companies, of the planned disconnection.

The PUNCH observed that nationwide electricity supply had deteriorated further since MO had made his observation, with many areas complaining of either low or no supply.

In a recent statement, MO’s Executive Director, Eddy Eje, urged disobedient Discos to make the necessary payments. Abubakar Aliyu, the Minister of Power, had previously intervened.

The market defaulters were expected to abide by the Market Rules with regard to payment of their outstanding invoices, posting of sufficient bank guarantees, and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements, as applicable, to the MO/TCN, based on the extension of the grace period by 60 days.

APL Electric Company Aba, Ajaokuta Steel, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electric, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, and Niger Delta Power Holding Company plants and Paras Energy are the defaulting Gencos.

Even though Sunday Oduntan, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors’ spokesperson, declined to comment on the situation, Ibadan Discos’ notice to customers corroborated The PUNCH’s findings.

There would be a widespread disconnect from the national grid, according to a statement made by Kingsley Achife, managing director and CEO of IBEDC.

He claimed that the decision was made as a result of poor customer payments.

Customers in the IBEDC franchise areas, particularly those in areas with the highest population of defaulters, may experience power outages as a result of the action, according to Achife.

The PUNCH has learned that the states of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, as well as portions of Niger, Ekiti, and Kogi, will be affected by the widespread disconnection.

Achife, “IBEDC sells and distributes the electricity produced by the generation companies as part of the electricity value chain’s revenue collection arm. However, due to slow payments and sizable unpaid customer balances, the company is unable to fulfil its financial commitments to the electricity value chain.

“We kindly request that our valued customers pay their current and past-due bills so that IBEDC can fulfil its commitments to the Market Operator and other parties involved in the electricity supply industry in order to guarantee a constant and uninterrupted supply of power.

“IBEDC prioritises offering our esteemed customers dependable and excellent service, but we also demand prompt payment for the energy used.

“Paying for electricity is a shared responsibility that is necessary to maintain the viability of our operations.

“We kindly remind our customers that failure to pay current and past-due electricity bills may result in the loss of electricity to connected homes, communities, and businesses.

We advise all of our clients to pay their bills on time to avoid any inconveniences, Achife continued.

 

Oliseh criticises Chelsea’s strategy when playing Arsenal

By
coic
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0

Sunday Oliseh, a former coach of the Super Eagles and a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group for the 2022 World Cup, criticised Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard’s tactics against Arsenal after the dismal Blues lost to the Gunners 3-1 in a Premier League match on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s team took control of the game after the ex-international kicked against Lampard’s tactical decision to play French midfielder N’Golo Kante out of position.

Read Also: Abia police confirm cop was beheaded and guarantee the informant’s safety

In Lampard’s 4-3-3 formation, the 32-year-old defensive midfielder was positioned on the right side of the midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernández.

The first two goals were scored by Martin Odegaard, who twice took advantage of poor Chelsea defence to finish Granit Xhaka crosses, and the third goal was added by Gabriel Jesus from close range to seal a convincing victory.

Midway through the second half, Nigerian-Dutch forwards Noni Madueke scored a goal for Chelsea, but it was only a consolation for the out-of-shape visitors, who are currently in 12th place.

The 48-year-old expressed his dissatisfaction with the Chelsea legend’s tactical error in a post on his Twitter page.

Against Chelsea, “Arsenal was on fire!”On his Twitter page, Oliseh stated.

The greatest defensive midfielder of his generation, N’golo Kante, who has virtually won everything with Chelsea and France, is continually played out of position, he said. “I am totally dumbfounded by Chelsea and most especially how on earth is it possible for him to be played out of position!” he added.

Under Lampard, the Blues have dropped six straight games and are currently 12th in the standings.

Lampard is the first English manager to lose 10 in a row while in charge of a top-flight team since Arthur Cox in February 1988 with Derby, per Opta. Lampard has now lost each of the last 10 games he’s taken charge of across all competitions.

Abia police confirm cop was beheaded and guarantee the informant’s safety

By
coic
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0

The decapitation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police in Aba on Tuesday was confirmed by the Abia State Police Command.

Geoffrey Ogbonna, the State Public Relations Officer, characterised the behaviour as heinous and strongly condemnable.

He appealed for reliable information on the perpetrators or anyone found in possession of a gun that might have been obtained illegally.

Read Also: Presidential polls: Obi says to INEC you sold your neutrality to APC

The public is urged to assist by providing reliable information on the perpetrators or anyone found in possession of a firearm that may have been obtained illegally, according to Ogbonna.

The “protection of identity” of the informant(s) is assured, he claimed.

In retaliation for their kingpin being shot dead by the police on Sunday, April 23, 2023, hoodlums beheaded the Aba police superintendent early on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, and threatened to keep the city’s residents and police on guard at all times.

It’s my turn to be House of Reps Speaker — Doguwa

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coic
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0

Hon. Alhassan Ado-Dogwua, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, stated that he had paid his dues and that it was time to reward his stewardship in his bid to become Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.

On Wednesday in Abuja, Doguwa declared his intention to run for Speaker of the Tenth House of Representatives.

“I have paid my dues; it is time to reward my stewardship to both the parliament and the nation,” the lawmaker said. I am the oldest serving member from the Northwest Zone in the House, and with the support of my colleagues, I am the leader of the Northwest and the APC caucus in the House.”

He promised to be the speaker who would see through the implementation of the “Renewed Hope 2023-Action Plan for a Better Nigeria” spearheaded by President-elect Bola Tinubu.

Read Also: DBN releases N631bn to MSMEs

The lawmaker stated that he would go to any length to secure the House’s support for the Tinubu administration’s commendable programs and policies.

Speaking about his mission, he stated that he would strengthen the role of parliaments toward effective representation while also restoring public trust and participation in governance.
This, he claims, is accomplished by facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating strategies for public participation in governance and government business.
Doguwa stated that he would ensure that the House conducts its business in a transparent and accountable manner, and that every member of the House would be held responsible and accountable by the people he represents.

“If elected speaker, we will ensure cohesion and harmonious working relationships among the three branches of government,” he says.

Read Also: Nigerians react negatively to MultiChoice’s decision to raise subscription rates for GOTV, DSTV

“I am uniquely positioned to unite and stabilize the House while opening the door for all actors to play vital and critical roles in stabilizing the polity.”

“I am determined to work in accordance with the principle of checks and balances across all sectors to ensure that the House conducts its business for the people and by the people’s representatives.”

Presidential polls: Obi says to INEC you sold your neutrality to APC

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coic
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0

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, compromised its neutrality as an election umpire by rigging the results of the presidential election on February 25 in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In his response to INEC’s preliminary objections and reply to his petition, Obi claimed that the Commission’s assertion that his petition and the reliefs it sought before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) were ambiguous, imprecise, and ungrantable was wishful thinking.

Read Also: Buhari expressed his satisfaction with NDDC’s recent reforms

Obi, on the other hand, urged the tribunal to accept jurisdiction over his petition and proceed to decide it because it had been properly filed with the necessary parties in accordance with the law.

Obi argued that the APC candidate was the first since 1999 to be declared the winner of the presidential election without receiving 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while still maintaining that Tinubu was not elected by a majority of the legal votes cast at the election.

According to Obi, who requested that the tribunal declare him the winner of the presidential election, “the actual votes obtained at the polling units as shown in the report incorporated/pleaded in the petition, show that the petitioner won the majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and met the Constitutional requirements to be declared/returned as winner of the election.”

Obi argued that under the relevant laws and regulations, the proper method for resolving disputes at the collation is by turning to the result uploaded on the IReV using the BVAS. Obi poked holes in INEC’s claim that it relied on manual documents in declaring the winner of the disputed election.

The information on INEC’s IReV portal, he claimed, as of the date of filing this reply on April 21, “shows that out of the 176, 846 polling units, the result submitted were in respect of 167, 433 polling units; and that the percentage of the uploaded result on the IReV is 94.68 percent.

“That in accordance with the law and in the various press briefings, press interviews, and press releases, INEC through its senior officials represented and assured that for the 2023 general elections, the use of BVAS as a technological device for voter accreditation and online upload of election results in the polling units was not only mandatory but also an innovation introduced by INEC to increase transparency, public confidence in electoral process, and conformity.

“That the election results were rigged and improperly calculated using the candidates’ actual ratings, nor was this verified with the release of the results uploaded on the IReV.

“INEC’s attempt to rig the election’s actual results were accomplished by failing to upload the presidential election results using BVAS to the IReV as required by law.”

Read Also: EFCC to begin fresh proceedings against Fani-Kayode, others over alleged N4.6bn fraud

The international best practice for electoral umpires in national elections, according to Obi, is that an electoral body must avoid giving the impression that it has no respect for neutrality in an electoral contest between candidates. Obi accused INEC of abandoning its role of neutrality during the election.

“The appellate courts have repeatedly reminded the first respondent (INEC) of the need for it to maintain objectivity throughout the electoral process. Therefore, the first respondent’s wearing the attire of a candidate in an election it conducted as an umpire to raise preliminary objection against an election petition is not only embarrassing but also a repudiation of its duty.

 

Buhari expressed his satisfaction with NDDC’s recent reforms

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coic
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0

… Stakeholders applaud MNDA and NDDC for their commitment to accountability and transparency

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been repositioned for the positive and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region as a result of reforms that were initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA). These reforms have been praised as having earned the President praise.

This commendation was offered by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, when he declared open the NDDC-PPP Summit that was taking place in Lagos. He did so on behalf of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

According to the minister, the president’s directive to reform the NDDC came at the perfect time because it has repositioned the Commission to be transparent, accountable, and run on the template of global best practices in public governance.

“By publishing in national newspapers a list of 2,506 completed projects executed by the Commission during the tenure of the Buhari administration from 2015 to 2022, we kicked off an era in which accountability and transparency would play a central role. The response to this level of dedication to openness in public governance has been phenomenal.

Read Also: EFCC to begin fresh proceedings against Fani-Kayode, others over alleged N4.6bn fraud

“Today, we are witnessing an enthusiastic response by stakeholders and development partners to an invitation to dialogue on the development of the Niger Delta. This is because there is trust in public institutions that are run according to law and due process.

“A Public-Private Partnership would not be feasible in a government institution that is struggling under the weight of a trust deficit.”

“In keeping with the Action Plan to do things right, the government approved for implementation of some of the key recommendations of the Forensic Audit into the activities of the NDDC, while the White Paper on the Forensic Audit Report is currently being awaited.

“Contracts for 4,000 projects were terminated due to non-performance, as was recommended in the Report, and the terminations were announced in the local newspapers,” The procedure for recouping the money that was paid for the canceled contracts has been initiated.

Umana argued that the ministry has well-defined limits, providing a clear demarcation between supervision and interference, while at the same time insisting on the necessity of supervision.

Read also: DBN releases N631bn to MSMEs

“I have made sure that there is no ministerial interference in the management of the NDDC,” he said, noting that the rapid positive perception of the NDDC is evident in the enthusiastic response of private sector players to the invitation to dialogue on the way forward for the development of the Niger Delta. He noted that the rapid positive perception of the NDDC is evident in the enthusiastic response of private sector players to the invitation to dialogue on the way forward for the development of the Niger Delta.

As a result, the Minister expressed his gratitude to the management of the NDDC for putting together the investment summit.

Meanwhile, stakeholders and political leaders have heaped praise on President Buhari, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, and the management of NDDC for engendering public confidence through a commitment to good public governance, which has had a positive impact on peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. This praise was directed toward President Buhari, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, and the NDDC management.

Speaking separately at the NDDC-PPP Summit, senator-elect Adams Oshiomhole, a former chairman of the APC; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Sen. Matthew Urhoghide; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Mr. Simbi Wabote; former managing director of the NDDC Mr. Timi Alaibe; and former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Mr. Dakuku Peterside acknowledged that things have changed

Oshiomhole questioned why anyone would run a government agency for three years with a handpicked sole administrator, when there was no provision for such an aberration in the enabling law that established the agency. He went on to note that such an anomaly could never inspire public confidence in the NDDC. Oshiomhole was referring to reported cases of mismanagement in the NDDC that occurred prior to recent reforms.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Atlantic Global Resources Inc. was one of the most significant events of the summit. The railroad that will be built will cost $15 billion and will link all of the states in the Niger Delta region into a modern transport hub.

DBN releases N631bn to MSMEs

By
coic
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0

Loans totaling over 631 billion naira have been distributed to Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Businesses (MSMEs) all over Nigeria by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).

At the bank’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, revealed this information that was included in the bank’s financial report for the year 2022.

According to him, the record of loans disbursed as of the end of the Financial Year on December 31, 2022, represented a significant increase of 31 percent from the N482 billion that was distributed in the year before.
His words were as follows: “In the five years that DBN has been in operation, the bank has been at the forefront of development, playing a focal and catalytic role in alleviating financing constraints for Nigeria’s underserved MSMEs.”

“By the end of December 2022, the DBN had distributed more than N531 billion to slightly more than 313,000 MSMEs across the country. This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of N482 billion, which was distributed to more than 208,000 MSMEs.

“This implies a growth of 31 percent in financing support and a growth of 50 percent in the number of MSMEs impacted.”

In spite of the challenging circumstances in both the immediate community and the wider world, Dr. Okpanachi praised the team’s outstanding performance during the previous year.

Earnings for the bank totaled N47.6 billion by the end of the Financial Year 2022, with a PBT of N29.5 billion, and a cost to income ratio of 15.9 percent. These figures were all achieved prior to the payment of taxes.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 13. 5 percent of the total loan portfolio by sector, followed by agriculture, forestry, and fishing (5.7 percent), and oil and gas (4.9 percent). Trade and commerce accounted for 52. 8 percent of the total loan portfolio by sector.

 

 

 

EFCC to begin fresh proceedings against Fani-Kayode, others over alleged N4.6bn fraud

By
coic
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0

The former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode and three other people will face new charges of money laundering and theft at the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC’s attorney, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained to Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday that the decision by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division to throw out the charges last week made this action necessary.

Oyedepo asserts that all exhibits and documents submitted by the prosecution should be made public in light of the Court of Appeal’s ruling in order for the Commission to reopen the case at the Federal High Court, Abjua.

After that, Justice Osiagor ruled that the EFCC should be given all exhibits and documents that were presented to the court during the hearing of the case.

On Thursday of last week, Justice Mohammed Danjuma of the Court of Appeal rendered a decision regarding an appeal filed by one of Fani-Kayode’s co-defendants, former Minister of Finance Nenadi Usman, challenging the Federal High Court in Lagos’ jurisdiction to hear the case. Additionally, the appellant claimed that the charge as it was presented to the Lagos court was flawed.

The Federal High Court in Lagos lacked jurisdiction to make a ruling in this case, according to the appeal court, which unanimously decided the issues in favor of the appellant.

The appellate court further determined that because all of the Defendants’ transactions occurred in Abuja, the Federal High Court in Abuja has jurisdiction to hear the case.

The verdict was supported by Justices Onyekachi Otisi and Fatima Akinbami.

Nevertheless, it should be remembered that in a previous appeal submitted by Fani-Kayode in 2019, a different panel of the same court of appeal led by Justice Mohammed Garba had sided with the EFCC in saying that “some act forming part of the offence or at least the consequence of it happened in Lagos.” Determining that the Federal High Court in Lagos had jurisdiction to hear the case, the court had made that ruling.

Read Also: Nigerians react negatively to MultiChoice’s decision to raise subscription rates for GOTV, DSTV

After Justice Rilwan Aikawa, the previous trial judge, was transferred out of the Lagos division, the EFCC re-arrested the defendants before Justice Daniel Osiagor.

Nenandi Usman, a former chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Yusuf Danjuma, and the business Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd. are also named as defendants in the lawsuit that includes Fani-Kayode.

They were accused of illegally keeping more than N4.6 billion between January and March 2015, which they knew or should have known was part of the proceeds of theft and corruption.

In counts 15 to 17, Fani-Kayode and a man named Olubode Oke—who is reportedly still at large—were accused of paying N30 million in cash to a company called Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No. 125, Lewis St., Igbosere, Lagos.

The alleged payments were made without going through a financial institution and were in excess of what was permitted by law.

The Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012’s sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) were alleged to have been violated by each offense.

The accused had all entered not guilty pleas and been released on bail.

 

Nigerians react negatively to MultiChoice’s decision to raise subscription rates for GOTV, DSTV

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coic
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0

The satellite television service provider, MultiChoice, recently announced that it will be raising the monthly subscription fees for both GOTV and DSTV in Nigeria.

A number of subscribers all over the country have expressed their displeasure with this announcement.

According to Multichoice, the new prices will be implemented beginning on May 1 of the year 2023.

“Dear Customer, due to rising costs of business operations, please note that from May 1, your monthly subscription (Premium) will be N24,500,” reads an example of the message that will be sent to the decoders of DStv Premium subscribers. If you want to keep paying the old price of N21,000 for up to a year, make sure you are active by the 30th of April.

Under the new administration, the monthly cost of the Compact+ bouquet is expected to increase to N16,600 from its current level of N14,250. Under the new pricing structure, subscribers on the Compact bouquet would pay N10,500 as opposed to N9,000, and subscribers on the Confam bouquet would be expected to pay N6,200 as opposed to N5,300.

Those who subscribe to DStv Yanga and Padi will be required to pay N3,500 and N2,500 respectively, as opposed to N2,950 and N2,150 currently.

When it comes to the GOtv service, subscribers on the GOtv Supa package would pay N6,400 as opposed to N5,500, and subscribers on the GOtv Max package would pay N4,850 as opposed to N4,150.

 

Subscribers to GOtv Jolli will soon be required to pay N3,300 instead of the previous N2,800, and the prices of GOtv Jinja and GOtv Lite will also increase, moving from N1,900 to N2,250 and from N900 to N1,100 respectively.

In response to the announcement, a number of subscribers voiced their displeasure with the increased cost of the service, which is especially pertinent given the state of the economy in the country at the present time.

They contend that the new rates are excessively expensive and may not be within the financial means of many Nigerians, particularly those with lower incomes.

Kunle Adeleke, one of MultiChoice’s subscribers, was quoted as saying, “This is a very bad move by MultiChoice. Before increasing the rates for subscriptions, they ought to have given some thought to the current state of the economy in the country. How exactly do they anticipate that regular Nigerians will be able to afford these new rates?

Another customer, Mrs. Chidinma Okeke, expressed her dissatisfaction with MultiChoice by saying, “I am very disappointed with MultiChoice. They have been raising the prices of subscriptions on an annual basis, and it is reaching a point where it is unsustainable. It’s possible that I’ll have to look into switching to a different service provider.

 

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