The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leadership and its civil society partners have been called to a critical meeting by the Federal Government today in an attempt to avert the statewide demonstration against the 50% increase in telecoms charges that is set for tomorrow, February 4.
The NLC’s opposition to the ₦8 billion annual allocation for electricity bill sensitization—which the labor movement has referred to as “the height of profligacy, wastefulness, and corruption”—will also be discussed, it was learned.
The meeting will start at 5 p.m., according to a source in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which is in charge of organizing it, as reported by Vanguard.
The interaction is a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects the Nigerian workers,” according to the source.
The SGF is likely to lead discussions on the government’s plan to modify telecommunications pricing, a move that has been strongly opposed by the NLC and its supporters. The meeting is anticipated to be interministerial.
The planned ₦8 billion budgetary allocation in 2025 for federal electricity bill sensitization will also be discussed at the conference. The meeting had to be scheduled at 5 p.m. following the FEC meeting since the government had already scheduled other meetings for Monday, the person continued.
The NLC leaders have stated that “there is no way we will accept the 50% telecommunications tariffs hike,” despite their agreement to attend the conference and hear the government’s viewpoint.
The NLC has reiterated its strong objection to the 50% hike in telecom charges while continuing to organize the public and employees for tomorrow’s large-scale demonstration.
NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja directed all state councils and affiliate unions to guarantee full mobilization for the protest in a letter dated January 30.
He underlined that the protest’s goal is to make the government aware of the financial strain on Nigerian residents and workers.
The letter instructed state councils to plan a nonviolent rally in state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that would start at 7:00 a.m. for one day.
It is anticipated that demonstrators would march to State Houses of Assembly or National Communications Commission (NCC) offices to deliver petitions opposing the pricing increase.
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Labour leaders have pledged that they will not accept the 50% hike in telecom tariffs, regardless of the outcome of the meeting.
“Your unwavering support and action are crucial to protecting our nation and ourselves from policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats during this time of immense hardship,” the NLC said.
Related Topics: 50% Tariff on Telecom, National Protest, Secretary to the Government of the Federation The HikeTle
