House of Reps Okays Pay-as-you-go for Multichoice Consumers

Recall that, last week, The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said that Multichoice Nigeria has since its start evaded tax in Nigeria is said to be owing up to N1.8 trillion.

Although, the The House of Representatives has adopted a pay-as-you-go and a slash in price for DSTV and other cable satellite operators in the country.

After considering and approving recommendations of the Ad-hoc Committee on Non- Implementation of Pay-As-You-Go and also the sudden tariff increase plan by Broadcast Digital Satellite Service Providers.

Ad-hoc Committee chairman, Unyime Idem who is also a member of the committee representing Ukanafun/ Oruk Anam Federal constituency had laid the report before the House of Reps and was considered during Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.

The House of reps called on the Federal government to expedite action on implementing the content o the National Broadcasting Code and the Nigeria Information policy of 2014.

The House of reps said that the entertainment industry has a wider spectrum with unending job and wealth creation opportunities for the youths and so, there would be some sort of healthy competition.

The House said that, it is the absence of competitors is why multichoice had such approval of monopoly.

The members of the house of reps also suggested that timely application of government intervention on the regulation would revolutionise the industry and meet the people’s clan our for Pay-as-you-go, pay-per-view and price slash.

The House also noted that the NBC- National Broadcasting Commission should responsibly license and regulate the activities of service providers and they should also have the power t moderate the protection of consumers to be able to fight against exploitation.

While the house spoke, it stated the a regulator is handicapped by law that were not properly tailored to the needs of the society.

The report stated that price increase and slash has been an issue for producers and consumers in the business world.

Although the house said there were factors responsible for the high subscription fees which the recent increment of VAT by 2.5% by the Financial Amendment Act of Jan. 13, 2020 and also the fluctuating foreign exchange rate.