Federal Gov’t, NLC Set Up Joint Committee to Review 50% Telecom Tariff Hike

The Federal Government has engaged with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to address concerns surrounding the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The meeting, initiated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, aimed to foster industrial harmony and safeguard the interests of Nigerian citizens.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who represented the Federal Government, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the study conducted by the NCC that led to the tariff hike. Both parties deliberated on the matter and agreed to establish a 10-member committee, with five members each from the Federal Government and the NLC, to assess the study and provide a report within two weeks.

Minister Idris added, “The summary of it is that Labour and the Nigerian Labour Congress specifically, along with the delegation of the federal government, have set up a committee of five each. We are going to meet continuously for the next two weeks, and by the end of that period, we will present recommendations for final consideration by the government and organized Labour.”

The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the congress would await the outcome of the committee’s review before determining its next steps.

The meeting saw the participation of key government officials, including Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.