Group Opposes NLC’s Planned Protest

The proposed protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has been greeted with another opposition as the Nigeria Citizen Watch for Good Governance (NCWGG) has questioned the merit of the demonstration.

Consequently, the group said it has taken a position to kick against the nationwide demonstration.

The NCWGG maintained this position in a statement obtained by THE WHISTLER on Thursday.

The NCWGG’s position comes barely a day after the NLC announced a planned February 4th nationwide protest over the recent approval of a 50 per cent tariff raised by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The regulator rejected the initial proposed 100 per cent raise, citing economic hardship but disclosed that a tariff review would save the industry from collapse.

NCC’s decision was opposed by labour unions as they believe it could inflict more hardship.

However, the group said the call for a protest was uncalled for adding the NLC did not take into consideration the measures that were weighed before the NCC granted approval to telecoms firms.

The group said, “The NLC took a leap before thinking when it decided to call for protests over the recent approval for telecommunication operators to adjust their tariffs by 50 per cent. Did they consider the costs and losses that these telecommunication have suffered in the past few years to keep their services running? Did the NLC consider what would have been the case if the NCC rejected the request, and the consequent doom that would have befallen the telecommunications sector due to operators’ inability to continue operating?

“Did Labour consider the millions of direct and indirect jobs that would be affected if the telecommunications industry were to collapse due to their inability to continue funding operations? Did Labour consider what it would mean if Nigerians could no longer make calls or use the internet because telecommunications services had collapsed because they could no longer operate their sites?

“Labour took an unfortunate and unreasonable approach to the issue of the telecom tariff adjustment. What reasonable Nigerians would have expected from them would be to demand that the NCC hold to account the telecommunications companies to deliver quality telecom services to Nigerians.”

The NCWGG accused the NLC of politicizing the telecom tariff hike.

The group added, “If the Nigerian Labour Congress truly had the best interest of the Nigerian people they would have taken to the streets when costs of electricity went up by over 300% or when there was an unprecedented spike in the cost of basic food in the markets.

“They do not care for the average Nigerian worker, that is why they have not thought deeply about the folly of their actions.”

The group further alleged that the planned protest was an act of economic sabotage against the Nigerian people and President Bola Tinubu administration.

NCWGG added, “It would mobilize its members across the 36 States and the FCT to counter any protests against the telecom tariff hike, stating that the increase was a balanced measure to preserve the telecommunications industry.

“In addition, this increase will strengthen the telecommunications sector, keep it afloat, and ensure the purchase of advanced telecommunications infrastructure to meet the demands of data and other telecom services, while guaranteeing the provision of quality and uninterrupted services.“

Group Opposes NLC’s Planned Protest is first published on The Whistler Newspaper