Telecom tariff hike: FG meets NLC leaders over tomorrow’s protest
The Federal Government has summoned labour leaders to a meeting to avert tomorrow’s nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and it’s civil society allies against the 50 per cent hike in telecommunications tarrif.
Vanguard gathered from a source from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, which is hosting the meeting, that the meeting was scheduled to commence at 5 pm today.
The meeting, according to Vanguard, is also to discuss NLC’s opposition to the N8 billion government budgetary allocation for electricity bill sensitization which the labour movement described as the height of profligacy, wastefulness and corruption.
The source said the meeting was a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects the Nigerian workers.”
According to the source, it will be an inter-ministerial meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, purposely to resolve issues raised by NLC concerning the federal government’s approved upward adustments to telecommunications tariff which NLC, its allies and others are vehemently opposing.
NLC is already galvanizing workers for a mass protest tomorrow (February 4) against the 50 per cent tariff hike approval.
“The meeting will also discuss the N8billion proposed budgetary allocation in 2025 for electricity bill sensitization by the federal government. And because there are other meetings already fixed by the government for Monday, the meeting had to be fixed for 5 pm after the FEC meeting,’’ the source said.
Sources in the NLC indicated that its leaders would attend the meeting and hear what government had to say but insisted that “there is no way we will accept the 50 per cent telecommunications tariffs hike.”
Recall that NLC had on Thursday, written to its affiliate unions and state councils to ensure total and full mobilization of workers and allies for the protest against the planned 50 per cent telecommunications tariff hike.
In a separate letter, dated January 30, to the affiliate unions and state councils, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, urged them to also mobilise other Nigerians to send a serious message to the government.
The letter to state councils read: “In response to the resolution of the meeting of the National Administrative Council, NAC, to resist the proposed 50% hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all other forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses, all state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are directed to begin immediate mobilization of members of their councils in their respective states for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals and FCT on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, by 7:00am. You are expected to coordinate all affiliates in your states and work with volunteering civil society partners resident in your state for effective rally.
“The rally procession should lead to any NCC office in the state, where not available, to the state House of Assembly where our petition will be presented. Further developments shall be made available.
“At this time of massive hardship, your unwavering support and determination is critical to defending ourselves and nation from policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats.”
Similarly, the letter to affiliate unions read: “In response to the decision of the National Administrative Council’s resolution to resist the proposed hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses; all industrial unions affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are requested to begin immediate mobilization of their members across the nation for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals across the nation and Abuja on Tuesday the 4th of February, 2025, by 7:00am.
“At this time of massive hardship, your unwavering support and action is critical to defending ourselves and nation from Policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats.’’