Malawi Consumer Rights Group Expresses Dissent on Increased Tariff Prices
The Consumers Association of Malawi has recently criticized the increase in tariffs on Data Bundles.
The Executive Director of the Association, John Kapito recently posted his dissent.
The increase of Data Bundle Tariff by Airtel Malawi Limited has come at a wrong time when Malawians were expecting these Data Bundle Tariffs to be reduced as was promised by the State President and his Minister of Information. Recently, both the State President and Minister of information promised Malawians that Data Bundle Tariffs would drastically be reduced and we are shocked with this High Bundle Tariff increase of 20 percent.
John Kapito, Executive Director, Consumers Association of Malawi
Consumers are demanding an explanation from the State President and Minister of Information to explain to Malawians why we are witnessing high bundle tariff increases. Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) is aware that the interest of Airtel is driven by greed and profit even when the quality of their services are poor and we are surprised that the Regulatory Authorities reward the poor services with such huge tariff increases and at no time are they punished when they offer poor services. These tariff increases are coming at a time when Airtel within this year have had many unjustified tariff increases but with no improvement on their services.
When the State President was informing Consumers of reduced bundle tariffs it was understood that he will stand by what he said and it created an expectation among Consumers considering the outcry against these ever high mobile bundle tariff increases. Malawians are still expecting lower tariff bundles as a tool to facilitate the ever growing demand for mobile money market and communication. Malawi happens to have the lowest usage of mobile phones and is one country in SADC with the highest internet charges and our hope was that the promises that were made by the State President and his Minister of Information would be implemented for the good and growth of financial inclusion and internet services in the country.
Mr. President for once Consumers are asking you to make this promise come true and if not we are asking you and your Ministers to stop making any more promises to Consumers you have made so many promises and you don’t even remember them, can you from now stop lying to poor Malawians that’s cheap leadership. We are no longer interested in your lies why should you find comfort in lying about everything and especially those things that matter to Malawians who are struggling for the very basics in life where is your credibility and integrity in what you say?
John Kapito, Executive Director, Consumers Association of Malawi