The House of Representatives has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to initiate a dialogue with the Multichoice Group concerning the recent increase in DSTV and GOTV subscriptions.
The decision to advocate for discussions came after a debate on a motion moved by Umar Ajilo, who proposed the suspension of the tariff hike.
During the motion, Ajilo emphasized the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, asserting that the timing of the subscription fee increment is inappropriate given the prevailing economic hardship. He expressed concerns about the “exorbitant increase in DSTV/GOTV package tariffs,” particularly for the Premium and Compact Plus packages.
However, Jonathan Gaza amended the motion, suggesting that instead of compelling Multichoice through suspension, the government should engage in a dialogue with the organization. The amendment, which focused on a diplomatic approach rather than coercion, gained acceptance when put to a vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Supporting the amendment, Speaker Abbas highlighted that Nigeria operates in a free-market society, and it would be inappropriate to force a private company to reduce its prices. The modified motion was adopted by the House and subsequently referred to the Committee on Information to oversee and ensure compliance with the recommended dialogue process.
