FG, NLC sign MoU over proposed 50% telecom tariff hike; Planned nationwide rally suspended

Global Patriot Staff 1 week ago Local, News Leave a comment 34 Views

By Joan Nwagwu

Abuja, Feb. 4. 2025

The Federal Government (FG) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over the proposed 50 per cent hike in telecommunications tariff.

Following the MoU, the NLC has suspended its planned nationwide rally over the proposed telecommunications tariff hike.

The agreement between the FG and NLC was contained in an MoU reached on Monday at a meeting convened by the two parties over the proposed hike.

The MoU was signed by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Muhammadu Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of NLC and Mr. Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the NLC.

It would be recalled that the NLC had strongly opposed the proposed hike and had called for a one- day nationwide mass protest on Feb. 4.

According to the MoU, resolutions were reached for the parties to sit together in a technical group to resolve most of the thorny areas raised during the discussion.

Parts of the resolution include the setting up of a joint committee with five representatives each from the FG and the NLC.

The committee is expected to conclude and submit its deliberations within two weeks.

The parties urged Nigerians to remain calm while the committee concluded its assignment.

Mr. Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the NLC disclosed the suspension of the planned nationwide rally in a statement addressed to all its state councils and affiliates on Tuesday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) had declared a one-day mass rally at all Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) offices nationwide in response to the tariff hike.

“Following our resolution, the Federal Government invited us to a meeting, where an agreement was reached to establish a 10-member committee to address key concerns raised by Congress.

“As a result, our protest has already achieved success, as the government has conceded to some of our demands without the need for an actual demonstration.

“In light of this development, we will now pursue other decisions of Congress on this matter,” he said.

Ugboaja commended NLC members for their support and encouraged them to keep their fingers crossed as they continue to engage with the federal government.