‘Our Position Is Clear’ – NLC President, Ajaero Gives Condition To Allow Hike In Telecom Tariffs

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has again rejected the proposed 50 percent hike in telecom tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in collaboration with telecom operators.

Naijaonpoint reports that Ajaero, in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, asserted that any increase must be accompanied by genuine stakeholder engagement to explore sustainable alternatives that do not jeopardize Nigerians’ livelihoods.

While questioning the rationale behind the proposed hike, particularly given the significant growth of the telecom sector over the years, Ajaero described the move as an undue burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising inflation, high transportation costs, increased electricity tariffs, and the general economic downturn.

The NLC President further emphasized that the proposed tariff hike would worsen inflation and aggravate the economic hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.

He said: “When GSM operators began operations in Nigeria, the subscriber base was below 50,000. Today, the market has expanded to over 200 million active lines. Despite this, the sector is claiming it cannot sustain operations without a 50% increase in tariffs. This reasoning does not align with the reality of their profitability.

“Increasing tariffs in the telecom sector, like in the power sector, creates a vicious cycle of inflation. Nigerians, who are already bearing the brunt of economic pressures, cannot afford to shoulder another burden.

“The principle of stakeholder consultation is central to tariff modeling. Unfortunately, this has been ignored. Decisions of this magnitude cannot be made without input from key stakeholders, including labor unions, civil society organizations, and consumers.

“Our position is clear, any increase must be equitable and based on genuine consultation. We cannot accept arbitrary figures imposed without due consideration of their impact on the populace.

“We will consult with labour unions, civil society organizations, and Nigerians at large to determine the best course of action. A boycott is one of the many tools at our disposal, but the final decision will be inclusive and reflective of the collective will of Nigerians.”