Group knocks NLC over protest against telecoms tariff hike

The Nigeria Citizen Watch for Good Governance (NCWGG) has kicked against the planned February 4 nationwide protest rally proposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to demand a reversal of the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The group said the move by Labour was not in the interest of the Nigerian workers, the telecommunications industry, and the country at large.

In a communiqué issued Wednesday at the end of the meeting of its National Administrative Council (NAC), the labour leaders demanded an immediate suspension of the 50 percent tariff hike.

They called on the federal government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to engage in meaningful dialogue with critical stakeholders to review the proposed tariff adjustment within the context of the economic realities facing Nigerians.

NCWGG President, Collins Eshiofeh Idowu, in a statement, Thursday, however observed that the decision by the NLC to call for a protest was uncalled for, stating that the labour union did not take into consideration the measures that were weighed before the NCC came to the decision to approve only 50 per cent

“Did they consider the costs and losses that these telecommunication have suffered in the past few years to keep their services running? Did the NLC consider what would have been the case if the NCC rejected the request, and the consequent doom that would have befallen the telecommunications sector due to operators’ inability to continue operating?” Idowu said.

“Did Labour consider the millions of direct and indirect jobs that would be affected if the telecommunications industry were to collapse due to their inability to continue funding operations?

“Did Labour consider what it would mean if Nigerians could no longer make calls or use the internet because telecommunications services had collapsed because they could no longer operate their sites?

Describing the decision of Labour as an unfortunate and unreasonable approach to the issue of the telecom tariff adjustment, Idowu said what Nigerians would have expected from NLC would be to demand that the NCC hold to account the telecommunications companies to deliver quality telecom services to Nigerians.”

The group accused the NLC of playing politics with the telecom tariff hike, stating that “if the Nigerian Labour Congress truly had the best interest of the Nigerian people they would have taken to the streets when costs of electricity went up by over 300% or when there was an unprecedented spike in the cost of basic food in the markets.

“They do not care for the average Nigerian worker, that is why they have not thought deeply about the folly of their actions.”

The group stated that it would mobilize its members across the 36 States and the FCT to counter any protests against the telecom tariff hike, adding that the increase was a balanced measure to preserve the telecommunications industry.

The NCWGG noted that it stood in full support of the telecom tariff hike, given the millions of jobs it was sustaining and potentially could create.

Citing a report, the group stated that the tariff increase will unlock over $150 million in investments for 4G expansion that could benefit over nine million Nigerians.

It also added that with a more resilient and growing telecommunications industry, the tariff increase will increase digital access, especially in rural areas while boosting Nigeria’s GDP by two per cent.

“In addition, this increase will strengthen the telecommunications sector, keep it afloat, and ensure the purchase of advanced telecommunications infrastructure to meet the demands of data and other telecom services, while guaranteeing the provision of quality and uninterrupted services.”