The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, following a meeting with government representatives on Monday.
The protest, which was initially scheduled to take place on February 4, has been put on hold for two weeks, pending the outcome of a committee set up to review the tariff hike report.
According to NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the government has agreed to establish a 10-member committee, comprising five members from each side, to review the tariff structure and propose solutions that address the concerns of both telecom operators and consumers. The committee is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
Ajaero stated, “We emphasized that the NLC is the largest organisation in Africa, and no stakeholder consultation can exclude us and still stand.
“On that basis, they agreed to form a broader committee to ensure a fair and inclusive agreement to look at the entire tariff structure as a model to come out with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.
“So the committee will be made up of five representatives, from both sides and expected to come out with a result after two weeks.
“That will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement. The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee.
“The outcome of such a committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, and in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues we put online.”
