Following the intervention of the Federal Government on Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs endorsed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been shelved temporarily.
The NLC dropped the hints to put on hold the planned rally scheduled for Tuesday (today) after a meeting with government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in Abuja.
Rising from the Monday meeting, the NLC resolved to halt the demonstration pending further discussions, saying the government had agreed to set up a larger committee to review the entire tariff structure.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, NLC President, Ajaero, said the committee will be composed of five representatives from both sides and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
According to Ajaero; “We emphasised that the NLC is the largest organisation in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand. On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement to look at the entire tariff structure as a model to come out with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.
“So, the committee will be made up of five representatives, from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks. That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement.’’
However, warning that the Congress may be forced to resume its planned protest if appropriate remedial measures are not taken, Ajaero said the next steps could include protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, depending on the outcome of the Committee’s work.
He further said; “The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow (today) will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee. The outcome of such a committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues we put online”.
The NLC President stated that despite the planned symbolic submission of protest letters being put on hold, the NLC is also concerned about other pressing economic issues, including electricity tariffs and burdensome taxes on workers.
“We have also expressed our displeasure over the high electricity tariff and the unbearable tax regime, which is killing workers. These remain unresolved issues that must be addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in defence of the tariff hike by NCC, said the development was the outcome of a study team, explaining that the NLC has agreed to look at the study and also come up with its resolutions.
Disclosing that a committee of five representatives each from both sides had been set up, Idris said; “The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50 per cent increase. Now, we are discussing this with Labour.
“Labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and Labour in about two weeks.
Forefront News also notes that the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), while defending the 50 per cent tariff increase, cited rising operational costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and higher energy expenses.
The Commission further explained that the adjustment was in line with its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 to ensure the financial sustainability of the telecom sector.
