NLC Urges Subscribers To Reject 50% Telecoms Tariff Hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on telecommunication subscribers to “reject” the Federal Government’s new 50 per cent tariff hike.

In a statement shared on its X handle, NLC wrote “Reject This Tariff”.

Operators had initially requested a 100% increase, so the Federal Government approved a 50% increase.

The hike, the first in over a decade, is aimed at revitalising the struggling telecom sector, which contributes about 14 per cent to Nigeria’s economy.

Responding to the development, NLC described the increment as a burden on Nigerians.

READ ALSO: ‘ Highest Level Of 419’: Ajaero Faults Power Minister Over Electricity Bands, Migration Plans

It wrote, “N16.50 per minute, calls costs increased from N11 per minute. N6 per message, SMS charges increased from N4 per message. N431.25 per IGB data bundle” IGB data bundle increased from N287.50.

“50% telecom tariff hike: Another burden too harsh on Nigerians”.

Joe Ajaero, the NLC president, had earlier criticised the Federal Government’s approval of N8 billion for making people aware of the necessity to pay their electricity bills.

He claimed that the power industry in Nigeria is in danger of collapse because of the helmsmen’s repeated displays of gross incompetence. Despite the enormous investment in it by the Electricity Act of 2023, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission has consistently demonstrated incapacity to regulate or blatantly refused to discharge its obligations to Nigerian electricity consumers, while the Minister in charge is enthralled by seeking about N8 billion to educate Nigerians on how to pay their electricity bills.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the power grid has remained complacent despite greed and gross incompetence.

He also demanded that the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, and other minister of power officials resign because the national power grid repeatedly failed.

Ajaero claimed that if the Ministry of Power had been run by competent officials, the now embarrassing constant grid collapse would have been avoided in place of the worrying Minister’s statement that it will continue as if this has always been the case.

We think that the Ministry has made a clear admission of incapacity and failure, and we wonder why they wouldn’t do so by resigning.

It should be noted that there have been more failures for the National Grid than any other previous leaders in our nation’s history combined. Nigerians want more seriousness in handling their affairs rather than the garrulous remarks.

Ajaero also criticised Adelabu for its migration plans and electricity bands.

Source: Channels TV