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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

NLC suspends nationwide protest over telecom tariff hike

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs.

The suspension of the protest followed a meeting with federal government officials on Monday at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.

The protest, initially scheduled for Tuesday, was suspended after both parties agreed to establish a joint committee to review the tariff structure.

This committee will consist of five representatives from the government and five from the NLC, with a mandate to present its findings within two weeks.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which approved the tariff hike, defended the decision, citing rising operational costs due to inflation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and increased energy expenses.

The regulator maintained that the adjustment aligns with its responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 to ensure the telecom sector’s financial sustainability.

Despite the NCC’s justification, the NLC strongly opposed the increase, describing it as harsh and insensitive, especially given the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

The union had previously threatened to mobilize mass protests if the hike was not reversed, demanding a reduction to just 5%.

Following the Monday meeting, NLC President Joe Ajaero announced the suspension of the protest, stating that the new committee would critically assess the tariff hike and recommend appropriate actions.

Ajaero emphasized that the union’s next steps, including the possibility of protests, service boycotts, or withdrawals, would depend on the committee’s conclusions.

“The decision to submit protest letters has been put on hold until we receive the committee’s report. Our next course of action will be based on the recommendations from this review,” Ajaero stated.

In addition to the telecom issue, the NLC expressed concerns about other economic challenges, such as high electricity tariffs and excessive taxation, which they claim are worsening conditions for Nigerian workers.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed the formation of the review committee.

He noted that the NCC had conducted a study before implementing the tariff hike and that the NLC had agreed to examine this study as part of the committee’s work.

Meanwhile, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), which had previously pledged support for the NLC’s protest, also suspended its planned demonstrations after meeting with NCC officials.

During a four-hour session, the council reviewed economic data presented by the NCC, leading to a shift in its position.

Following the meeting, the NCSCN formed a five-member technical committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of telecom operators’ financial records and operational costs.

Their findings highlighted that telecom tariffs had not been adjusted since 2013, despite significant increases in operational expenses, particularly for electricity and diesel.

Executive Director of NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, acknowledged that the new insights warranted a reassessment of their initial stance, prompting the suspension of their planned protest actions.

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