By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate private internet service providers (ISPs) in Nigeria, citing Legend ISP’s exploitative practices as a case study.
Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide sponsored the motion, noted that numerous ISPs have evaded accountability for their inefficient and inferior service delivery, while consumers are forced to pay for inadequate services due to the lack of regulations governing their pricing and service provision.
The House expressed concern over frequent service outages, slow speeds, and inconsistent connectivity faced by consumers, and noted that Legend ISP, operating in Abuja, charges a flat monthly prepaid rate despite knowing that its services are frequently interrupted.
The lawmakers resolved to urge the NCC and relevant agencies to develop a consumer protection framework that includes provisions for automatic compensation or refunds for prolonged service outages or significant deviations from advertised service levels. They also directed the House Committee on Communications to investigate and report back to the House in two weeks.
Additionally, the House urged the NCC to initiate a policy of Pay As You Go to all ISPs to minimize exploitation by ISPs for services not rendered.
He said “notes that numerous Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have managed to evade accountability for their widespread inefficiency, feeble and inferior service delivery, while consumers are compelled to persistently pay for inadequate services due to the apparent absence of regulations governing their pricing and service provision, thereby enabling them to exploit Nigerians.
“Further notes that frequent service outages. slow speeds, and inconsistent connectivity are widespread issues faced daily by consumers, as in this digital age, efficient Internet connection is a necessity, not a luxury.
“Concerned that consumers sometimes experience service outages for more than an aggregate of two weeks in a single month from some ISPs, with no mechanism for refunding subscription fees, thus perpetuating a disregard for consumer rights and leading to exploitation.
“Also concerned that Legend, an ISP operating in Abuja. charges its subscribers a flat monthly prepaid rate despite knowing that its services ore frequently interrupted, for example. this company offers various tariff rates, with the highest being approximately 483.000.00 per month, yet it rarely delivers uninterrupted service for even half of the month.”
