NANS warns MultiChoice against price adjustment of DStv, GOtv subscriptions

Urges Buhari, NBC to regulate, compel firm to adopt pay-as-you-view billing system

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, yesterday warned MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of GOTv and Digital Satellite Television (DStv), to reverse its service tariff increase within seven days or risk all its offices in Nigeria being locked up.

The students also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the organisation to adopt the pay-as-you-view billing system.

These were contained in a statement made available to The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by the NANS South-West Deputy Co-ordinator, John Alao and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Opeoluwa Awoyinfa.

The student leaders, who described the activities of the company as exploitative, said: “It is imperative to speak with a view of putting an end to the hardship and extortion brought to Nigerians by MultiChoice Nigeria, a subsidiary of MultiChoice Africa, the owner of GOtv and Digital Satellite Television (DSTV).

“We are at a time when Nigerians have lost hope and do not know what is next on the radar. Today, we are aware that MultiChoice Nigeria Limited has increased its service tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians.

“The Federal Government should as a matter of concern enact a law to compel MultiChoice to introduce pay-as-you-view billing system, for Nigerians are already fed up of the current economy imbroglio.”

“We are ready to take the bull by the horns as Nigerians will not welcome any increment in tariff.

“We will never allow any policy or decision by any government, private organisations or persons that may want to add to the present hardship and hunger already unleashed on Nigerians.

“We also urge and advise the Federal Government through His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communication to break the sporting rights of MultiChoice as they have done more harm than good to Nigerians.

“We hereby give a seven-day ultimatum to the management of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited to reverse the plan of increasing tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians by implementing pay-as-you-view tariffs or else we shall be left with no other option but to lock up all its offices until the demands are meant, which is the mind of all Nigerians.” (The Guardian)