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Senate probes Pay-Tv providers over hike in tariff

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Senate probes Pay-Tv providers over hike in tariff

***Lawn sets up ad-hoc committee for the investigation

John Akubo

The senate on Wednesday setup an ad-hoc committee to carry out full scale investigation into incessant hike in tariffs by Pay-Tv providers.

The committee was mandated to carry out a comprehensive investigation by inviting the providers to come and explain reasons for the incessant hike.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, constituted the seven-man ad-hoc committee for the purpose
The lawmakers also directed all pay-tv service providers in Nigeria too immediatelày review their bouquet prices downwards in tandem with the prevailing reality of the economic situation in the country.

They also resolved to organize a public hearing for stakeholders to ventilate their positions on the issue.

The Senate, in its resolutions, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to direct all pay-tv providers to introduce a pay-per-view model of subscription as against the month to month prepaid model presently in place.

The Senate President, while announcing the composition of the ad-hoc committee, tasked the panel to carry out a comprehensive investigation into how other countries are billed by pay-tv service providers.

The Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), was appointed by Senator Lawan to Chair the ad-hoc committee.
Members of the committee include Senators Sulaiman Abdu Kwari, Oluremi Tinubu, Yusuf A. Yusuf, Lekan Mustapha, Chukwuka Utazi, Akon Eyakenyi.

Earlier, the lawmakers in a motion kicked against the increase in tariffs by Multi-Choice Nigeria.
The motion titled, “Nigerians dumbfounded, outraged over Pay-Tv Tariff Hikes, demand for Pay-Per-View subscription model”, was sponsored by Patrick Abba Moro (Benue South).
The lawmaker noted with concern the uproar within the public over tariff hikes, price increases by Pay-tv service providers on their bouquets;

He stated that the leading pay-tv service provider in Nigeria, (MultiChoice Nigeria) informed all DStv compact subscribers on August, 22 2020, to expect a 13.3% price increase to N7,900 up from N6, 975 commencing from September 1, 2020.
Moro bemoaned the hike in subscription fee for DStv compact plus by 9.8 percent from N10,925 to N12,000, and DStv premium from N16, 200 to N18,400 indicating a 13.6% hike.

According to him, “MultiChoice Nigeria willfully and perpetually increases the cost of its bundles because there is no regulation whatsoever in the area of fixing rates.”

“Notes further that as usual, without recourse to the economic situation of the country MultiChoice has again raised the cost of its DStv and GOtv bundles stating them as follows, DStv Premium (#21,000), Compact+ (#14,250), Compact (#9, 000), Confam (#5, 300), Yanga (#2, 950), Padi (#2, 150), Business(#2, 669), Xtraview PVR access fee (2, 900).
“Those of GOtv are as follows; GOtv Max (4,150), GOtv Jolli (#2, 6669), GOtv Jinja (#1, 900), GOtv Lite (#900)”, he said.

The lawmaker expressed concern that thousands of pay-tv subscribers in Nigeria have bitterly reacted to the development on different social media platforms, ranging from deep shock to pure outrage with many asking the Nigerian government to checkmate the activities of pay-tv service providers in Nigeria especially in the area of fixing prices.

He added that among the bitter complaints of Nigerian subscribers of pay-tv services is the poor network service experienced as a result of bad weather/ epileptic electricity supply, which sometimes makes a whole month subscription wasteful without the subscriber watching anything before the expiration.

Moro said that Nigerians are demanding that, rather than paying fixed rates for packages monthly, pay-tv service providers should introduce a subscription model which allows subscribers pay per-view to enable them match their TV consumption to subscription as it is the case with electricity metering and mobile telephony.

He explained that the pay-per-view that Nigerian subscribers are demanding for, is a flexible model plan of subscription which allows subscribers of pay-tv to pay-per watch, to avoid Paying for services which they do not consume.

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Old Video Of Wike Campaigning Against Godfather Syndrome Resurfaces

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A damning video clip has resurfaced, showing former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike vehemently opposing the godfather syndrome in politics.

The clip, which is currently circulating on social media, reveals Wike’s stance on the issue, stating that the godfather syndrome will not be tolerated in Rivers State.

In the video, Wike, who is currently serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, explicitly states that the system of godfatherism may be prevalent in other states like Lagos, but it will not happen in Rivers.

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He emphasizes that he cannot perpetuate the system even if he wants to, and that it is not possible for one individual to dictate the political landscape of the state.

He said, “It may happen in Lagos State but it cannot happen in Rivers, we are quite different. As a governor, I will come and go and I can’t stop it.

“The day that my tenure ends, by the grace of God, I will go. When you are thinking that what is happening in Lagos State, we will do it here, it may be difficult.

“You can’t continue to say that you must be a godfather of a state. That is the problem and it is not possible.

However, the irony of Wike’s statement is not lost on many, as Rivers State is currently embroiled in one of the worst political crises in the country.

wike and incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara are locked in a bitter struggle for control of the state’s leadership structure, with both sides trading blows and accusations.

The crisis has divided Rivers State along ethnic and political lines, with various groups issuing threats and warnings.

The Ijaw Youth Council and the Ijaw National Congress have warned that any attempt to remove Fubara from office will be seen as an attack on the Ijaw nation.

As the situation in Rivers State continues to unfold, the resurfaced video clip has raised questions about Wike’s commitment to his earlier stance on godfatherism.

 

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JUST IN: Explosion Hits APC Secretariat In Rivers State

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An explosion rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, causing significant damage to the building and its surroundings .

The blast, suspected to have been caused by dynamite, shattered the secretariat’s gate, doors, and windows, and also destroyed other properties.

This is the second attack on the APC secretariat this year, and it comes at a time when the local government elections are set to hold in the state.

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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that all sensitive materials have been distributed to the various local government area.

A viral video of the incident has been circulating, showing workers assessing the damage to the secretariat.

The police have not yet commented on the incident, but the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, has promised to investigate and provide updates.

The APC has not made any official statement on the incident, but the attack has raised concerns about the safety and security of political parties and their properties in the state.

The incident is currently under investigation, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.

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Police Raid Notorious IPOB Camp, Rescue Traditional Ruler, Others

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The Anti Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully raided a notorious camp linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Ezioha forest of Mbaitoli local government area.

The operation, which took place on Friday, resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims, including a 69-year-old traditional ruler from the Umuorji Mgbidi community in Oru West local government.

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According to Henry Okoye, the Command Public Relations Officer, the operation was initiated following intelligence reports about the camp’s activities.

Upon arrival, security operatives engaged in a fierce gun battle with the armed group, which led to the neutralization of the gang leader, identified as a key figure in recent kidnappings that have plagued the state.

Other members of the gang fled the scene, reportedly suffering from bullet wounds.

In addition to the rescue of the traditional ruler, a couple and several other individuals held captive were freed during the operation.

Law enforcement officials recovered a range of items from the camp, including several vehicles, a pump-action gun, ten live cartridges, four locally made explosives, a Biafra flag, and a native bulletproof vest.

The Imo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to combating kidnapping and criminal activities in the region, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

 

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