The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has decided to cancel its planned protest for March 1 following a successful negotiation with the Federal Government regarding a 35% increase in telecommunications tariffs. This agreement has been welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), which is calling for additional relief measures for telecom operators.
The negotiations emerged after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced a proposed 50% hike in telecom tariffs, marking the first significant adjustment in over a decade. Telecom operators, facing rising operational costs due to inflation and currency depreciation, had initially requested a 100% increase, but government intervention led to a compromise.
Insider sources within the NLC revealed that the discussions resulted in the reduction of the proposed 50% increase to 35%. A ten-member committee was formed to finalize this agreement, prompting the NLC to call off its protest.
Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the NLC, previously criticized the tariff increase as an undue burden on citizens already struggling with economic challenges. She argued that any adjustments should be gradual and limited to 15%.
In light of the announcement, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, President of NATCOMS, expressed support for the reduction but urged for further measures to alleviate the financial impact on consumers. He acknowledged the 15% reduction as a success of consumer advocacy and stressed the need for telecom operators to consider additional concessions.
The NCC and other industry organizations have yet to comment on the developments. Meanwhile, NLC Public Relations Officer Upah Benson indicated that a National Executive Council meeting would be held to discuss the situation further.
As the telecommunications landscape evolves, the balance between consumer needs and industry sustainability remains a critical focus for stakeholders involved.
