By: Ilyasa Baa
The twenty – one days ultimatum issued by Native Consortium and Research Centre (NCRC) to the National Telecommunication (NATCOM) and the mobile companies elapsed on Monday, meaning there will be protesters at Parliament complaining over the 300% increment in the cost of 1.5 GB.
The Executive Director, NCRC, Edmund Abu Jr. told this medium that he was optimistic that action will be taken against the mobile operators in the interest of the common man. ” We have been in this fight for long and I want to complement government’s effort in alleviating the suffering of the people especially with regards the high cost of living”, said the economic thinktank Executive Director. He said their centre is awash with complaints and evidences of how Sierra Leoneans are being cheated every day millions of Leones by the mobile operators which he said are foreign owned. He highlighted school going pupils and students to be victims noting that action has to be taken by the government in as much as they want to promote e- learning at schools and colleges. He said when traveled the length and breath of the country, he found out that the high cost of data is a burden for those with android phones.
It could be recalled that in October, NCRC issued a twenty – one days ultimatum that they will lead a protest for law makers to see how frustrated people are over the high data tariff. In a release, the Consortium had stated that even Qcell which had lower tariff had increased the cost of 1.5 GB from Le 9,000 (old currency) to NLe 27, adding that Orange which sold 1 GB data for Le 9,000 has increased to Le 35 which is said to be 300% increment.
Abu Sankoh, a university student informed this medium that he finds it difficult to do all he wants on the internet because of the sudden increment. He called on Members of Parliament to take the appropriate action so that more Sierra Leoneans will stay connected.
Mabinty Sesay in Waterloo said as a trader she used to stay connected to learn new things but ever since the increment in the data tariff she has avoided the internet for now.
The mobile operators have insisted that their tariff is normal and affordable.