The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has praised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending its planned protest over the recently approved 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs. The union’s Secretary-General, Mr. Abdullahi Okonu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the NLC’s decision was commendable, as it acknowledged the complexities of the sector.
Okonu explained that the rising costs of resources required to provide telecommunications services had made the tariff increase necessary. “Given the increase in operational costs, it is only logical for the government to allow a tariff hike to ensure businesses can continue running efficiently and remain profitable,” he stated.
He also emphasized that the increase was crucial to prevent the collapse of the telecommunications industry and safeguard jobs. “We cannot afford a situation where workers in the telecommunications sector lose their jobs due to companies struggling to cover operational expenses. The first thing companies often do in such a situation is to cut overheads by reducing staff, which we want to avoid.”
Okonu further pointed out that the collapse of the telecommunications sector would have detrimental effects on other industries. “A decline in telecom services would affect the entire economy, so it is vital that the sector remains stable,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Funmi Sessi, the Chairman of the NLC Lagos State Council, told NAN that the council had already mobilized its members for the protest but decided to suspend it following discussions between NLC representatives and the Federal Government. She urged the committee formed after the meeting to negotiate a more reasonable reduction in the 50% tariff hike.
“We urge the government to ease the financial burden on Nigerians,” she said.
NAN also reported that the NLC had agreed to suspend its planned nationwide protest after the meeting with the Federal Government. Both parties have agreed to resolve the issue within two weeks through further negotiations.
