Sierra Leone’s communications regulator the National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) has condemned the current surge in the prices of mobile recharge vouchers and scratch cards in several parts of the country.
In parts of Moyamba District such as Shenge, a 100-unit recharge card goes for Le4,600, while in remote regions of the country such as Kargboro chiefdom, it goes goes for Le5,000.
Elsewhere, the unit costs Le4,400 in Taiama, and Le5,000 or more at Mondokor village in the Upper Banta chiefdom.
According to the vendors, the surge in the price is as a result of the diminished profits they are making from the sale at the regulated price.
The vendors however lay blame on NATCOM for complacency in the price increase threatening to stop selling the cards if NATCOM attempts to compel them to revert to the former rates.
While responding to the claims, the Moyamba District superintendent of NATCOM Ahmed Kannah said the NATCOM has carried out several sensitisation projects to harmonise the price of top-up cards across Sierra Leone adding that the commission is committed to tackling the current challenges.
“Consumers [often] refuse to complain about those dealers that are selling top-up above the legal price. I will visit the said locations where this illegal practice is being carried out,” he said.
He however refuted the vendors’ allegation that the commission is not ignorant of the price hike stating the body is advocating against the illegal price regime.
He urged the residents of the district to report illegal sales to the commission.
