Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ibrahim Pantami, has called on telecoms companies to subsidise the cost of calls and data to curtail the effect of the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic.

A British telecom firm, Vodafone had, in the wake of the pandemic, offered a 30-day free unlimited mobile data to half a million of its pay monthly customers.

The mobile network said it was doing so as part of its support measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers considered “vulnerable” will be automatically upgraded, it said, while others can apply.

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Pantami, on his official Twitter handle, urged telecoms companies to ensure they further subsidy or reduce calls and data for citizens in this critical time.

The telecoms firms, however, said they have been supporting the nation and first responders as they tackle the menace of COVID-19.

They, however, said they were not interested in making a showmanship of the gesture at this trying time.

Acting under the aegis of Association of licensed telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said the times are hard, the telcos have been doing a lot to support the country during this trying times.

Adebayo said the industry is looking at various options as responsible and caring corporate citizens to support the government and the customers.