The Senate Committee on Communications has approved the proposal by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to increase the price of internet data, saying that the commission acted in national interest.

Vice Chairman of the committee, Adeola Olamilekan, after an oversight visit to the NCC headquarters, urged Nigerians to cooperate with the commission.

Olamilekan, speaking on behalf of the committee members, said that the data price hike was one of the commendable steps taken so far by the NCC, to sanitize the telecom industry.

He recalled how the Umar Danbatta-led NCC handled the recent issue of the N1.04 trillion fine against one of the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria, MTN, saying that the NCC did not disappoint Nigerians.

“Each time we invited the leadership of the agency to the National Assembly, they honoured our invitation and responded to our inquiries, particularly during the MTN issue, and of recent the data price floor,” Olamilekan said.

“They have acted in national interests and Nigerians should see NCC as being on their side.”

Olamilekan praised chairman of the NCC, Danbatta, for turning the telecom industry around since assuming office.

He urged the NCC to make details of its 2017 budget available on time to enable members go through and approve to avoid the delay occasioned by the 2016 budget.

Members of the Senate Committee on Communications include: Gilbert Nnaji – Chairman, Adeola Olamilekan – Vice Chairman, Abu Ibrahim, Joshua Dariye, Eyinnaya Aberibe, Isa Misau and Abiodun Olujimi.